Overview

• Albanese says formal recognition at the September UN General Assembly will depend on the Palestinian Authority carrying out governance reforms, demilitarising its security forces, holding elections, recognising Israel’s right to exist and keeping Hamas out of a future state
• Coalition frontbenchers including Tim Wilson and Sussan Ley have criticised the government for bypassing bipartisan consultation and pledged to undo recognition if they return to power
• US ambassador to Israel Mark Huckabee has reported senior US officials’ disgust with the timing of Australia’s announcement and warned it could undermine hostage negotiations with Hamas
• Polling by Resolve shows Australians are divided over the decision, with more than a third viewing recognition as largely symbolic and preferring to wait until preconditions are met
• In a separate move this week, the government barred far-right Israeli MP Simcha Rothman from entering Australia for a speaking tour as part of its stance against extremist rhetoric