Overview

• The Albanese government reaffirmed its plan to recognise a Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly in September based on PA commitments to reform governance, demilitarise, hold elections, exclude Hamas and recognise Israel.
• Coalition frontbenchers Tim Wilson and Sussan Ley condemned the announcement for bypassing bipartisan consultation and vowed to reverse recognition if elected.
• Independent experts and opposition sources warn that the Palestinian Authority, which governs only the West Bank, lacks the capacity to meet the government’s preconditions before the UN vote.
• US ambassador Mark Huckabee reported senior Trump administration displeasure over the timing, while Hamas media director Ismail Al-Thawabta welcomed the move and urged concrete diplomatic pressure on Israel.
• A Resolve poll finds 24% of Australians support recognition next month regardless of Gaza’s leadership, 32% want conditions such as Hamas’s removal met first and 36% believe the move will not affect the conflict on the ground.