Overview

• Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has confirmed Australia will join the United Kingdom, Canada and France in recognising Palestinian statehood at the UN General Assembly later in September.
• The government says recognition hinges on Palestinian Authority commitments to demilitarisation, the exclusion of Hamas, recognition of Israel’s right to peace and security, and elections and governance reforms.
• In a joint statement, former prime minister John Howard and ex-foreign minister Alexander Downer called the decision premature and said it undermines a relationship of trust with Israel.
• They argued Palestine does not meet the Montevideo Convention criteria for statehood and said any state must arise from negotiations consistent with United Nations Security Council positions.
• Domestic pressure is building, with a National Union of Students referendum reporting that more than 98% of about 5,000 participants support the Australian government imposing sanctions on Israel.