Overview

• Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said formal recognition will take place at the United Nations General Assembly in September.
• The decision hinges on Palestinian Authority guarantees that Hamas will be excluded from government, Gaza will be demilitarized and elections will be held.
• Albanese framed a two-state solution as the best path to end the cycle of violence and address Gaza’s suffering.
• Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denounced the move as a fallacy and criticized Western governments for their recognition steps.
• New Zealand’s foreign minister signaled a formal decision on Palestinian statehood by September as the United States and other major powers continue to await a final peace agreement.