Albanese says Netanyahu’s military escalation pledge in Gaza helped shape Palestinian statehood call

Anthony Albanese says Benjamin Netanyahu is “in denial” about the consequences of the war in Gaza on innocent civilians as he defended his government’s call to recognise Palestinian statehood.

The Prime Minister on Tuesday said Mr Netanyahu’s public slamming on Australia’s move towards recognition contributed to the speeding up of the announcement, after the PM said a fortnight ago a decision was not imminent.

“Prime Minister Netanyahu made a statement yesterday morning, before we’d made the statement, following on from the discussion that I had with him last Thursday, where I clearly indicated that the discussion and his argument was the same that he was putting a year ago,” Mr Albanese told the ABC.

“(During the conversation) he again reiterated to me what he has said publicly as well, which is to be in denial about the consequences that are occurring for innocent people.”

But Shadow foreign Minister Michaelia Cash slammed the move move towards recognition of statehood without conditions while Hamas still controls land in the region, saying it was “reckless” and would “embolden Hamas”.

“This is now unconditional recognition. That is an outrageous position to be in,” she told Sky on Tuesday.

“But more than that, it does nothing to change the situation on the ground for the Palestinian people.

“Recognising a Palestinian state does nothing more and nothing less than embolden Hamas.

“Hamas doesn’t care. International law doesn’t apply to terrorists. It butchered and slaughtered 1200 Israelis and it took hostages, many of whom remain in the tunnels today.

“Hamas must be removed from controlling the Gaza strip.”

Mr Albanese later told reporters in Melbourne that his reasons for the announcement also included Israel’s blocking aid in Gaza and the deaths of people from starvation or while searching for food.

Other contributing factors he said included growing international momentum, the loss of life, harrowing scenes of starvation, and assurances from the Palestinian Authority - including that Hamas would not play a role in future governance.

“The commitments from the Palestinian Authority have been important,” Mr Albanese said.

“The declarations by other countries means that there is momentum towards a two-state solution and towards the international community making that position clear.

“The other thing that is occurring is, of course, the decision by the Israeli Government to double down on its military. The Netanyahu Government, with the decision that they’ve made to go in and to occupy Gaza City.

“We have seen too many innocent lives being lost.”

He said international allies wanted a “breakthrough” to end the Gaza conflict and Australia wanted to be a part of the push for peace.

“We remain very much committed to two states.”

Liberal Senator James Paterson labelled Mr Albanese’s decision to recognise Palestinian statehood as a “historic mistake” and that Mr Albanese was “naive” to believe the Palestinian Authority would implement meaningful reform.

“They’ve had 20 years to make these reforms, and they haven’t done so. Why they would turn around and do these reforms after countries like Australia have promised to recognise them? (It) defies belief,” he said.

Senator Paterson also accused the PM of “trashing Australia’s foreign policy record” to appease Labor’s left flank.

“This is a desperate act of domestic politics,” he said.

“He has given in to the pressure ... to make a decision that departs from 30 years of bipartisan precedent.

“He’s trashed our foreign policy record, including with our closest allies, and all for nothing but a desperate domestic political gain.”

Shadow home affairs minister Andrew Hastie echoed his Liberal colleagues’ criticisms, warning it would “diminish a close democratic ally in Israel”, embolden Hamas and would send “the wrong message to terrorist groups all around the world”.

“This bloodshed is ultimately owned by Hamas. That’s why any plan going forward for statehood must have very clear conditions on removing Hamas from power, demilitarising and then normalising relations between the Israeli and the Palestinian people,” he said.