\u201cWe call on the Australian government to translate this recognition into concrete actions \u2014 by exerting diplomatic pressure to end the Israeli occupation.\u201d<\/p>\n
Al-Thawabta added that \u201cwhile recognition has come late\u201d, the move was \u201cbetter late than never\u201d.<\/p>\n
Albanese on Monday confirmed that Australia would recognise a state of Palestine at the United Nations next month, following similar moves from France, the United Kingdom and Canada in an international push to revive momentum for a two-state solution.<\/p>\n
Albanese told Channel Seven\u2019s Sunrise earlier this week: \u201cHamas will be totally opposed to this decision. Hamas don\u2019t support two states, they support one state.\u201d<\/p>\n
Senior Hamas official Basem Naim, said in a statement quoted by Sky News: \u201cAny efforts from any party to help the Palestinian people to achieve their national goals of independent state and self sovereignty is very welcomed, but the core question is how to implement this and how to oblige Israel to abide international law.\u201d<\/p>\n
Calling for the government to go further than recognition, he said such steps needed \u201cteeth\u201d or the region would \u201ccontinue to stay struggling in the same violent vicious circle\u201d.<\/p>\n
Speaking at a press conference in Moreton Bay, Queensland, Albanese said: \u201cHamas do not want a two-state solution.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat they want is one state and I notice in the statement that\u2019s made today, they say that the alleged statement from the person yesterday [came from] someone who\u2019s been in prison in Israel since October 2023, and has no means of communication.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat that should be is a warning to the media of being very careful about the fact that Hamas will engage in propaganda because what is happening is the international community are united about isolating Hamas, about supporting a peaceful way forward.\u201d<\/p>\n
Opposition Leader Sussan Ley said: \u201cWhen you have terrorists cheering on your foreign policy, you know that you have got it wrong… I am calling on the Prime Minister to reverse his position because we cannot have recognition of a Palestinian state ahead of a proper peace process and two-state solution process.\u201d<\/p>\n
Albanese said the Arab League, which represents 22 nations, had united to say in July that Hamas \u201cmust be isolated, it must be disarmed\u201d and that the group should play no role in the governance of Gaza.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople who look at Gaza can\u2019t just continue to say \u2018Well, we\u2019ll just keep doing more of the same\u2019,\u201d Albanese said.<\/p>\n
Hamas launched the October 7 attacks in Israel that killed an estimated 1200 people and triggered the war in Gaza.<\/p>\n
Israel\u2019s ambassador to Australia Amir Maimon said in a statement: \u201cCalling out Hamas propaganda is right. Doing it only when it suits politics is not.<\/p>\n
\u201cHamas always lies: about casualty numbers, about hiding in hospitals and schools, and about who really puts Gazans at risk. Truth is not selective.\u201d<\/p>\n
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The statement provided by Yousef\u2019s office said: \u201cWe welcome Australia\u2019s decision to recognise the State of Palestine, and consider it an important step towards achieving justice for our people and securing their legitimate rights.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis position reflects political courage and a commitment to the values of justice and the right of peoples to self-determination.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe call on all countries, especially those that believe in freedom and human dignity, to follow Australia\u2019s example.\u201d<\/p>\n
The comments echoed similar recent remarks from Hamas officials, including Ghazi Hamad, who is based in Qatar.<\/p>\n
Hamad told Al Jazeera on August 2: \u201cThe initiative by several countries to recognise a Palestinian state is one of the fruits of October 7. We proved that victory over Israel is not impossible, and our weapons are a symbol of Palestinian dignity.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hamad also said: \u201cWithout our weapons, no one would be looking in our direction.\u201d<\/p>\n