Australia’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Penny Wong, is actively engaging with the organizing countries and partners ahead of the upcoming UN-backed summit on a two-state solution, underscoring Australia’s involvement in the international diplomatic efforts. This engagement comes as France, under President Emmanuel Macron, intensifies its lobbying for Australia to join the push for Palestinian statehood recognition.
The summit in New York, co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia from June 17 to 20, is generating considerable buzz, with speculation that France might formally recognize Palestine during the event to reignite the peace process. While 147 of the 193 UN member states already recognize Palestine, Australia, the UK, and the US have not. However, recent statements from Minister Wong suggest a potential shift in Australia’s long-held position, viewing early recognition as a means to build momentum.
The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed its engagement with international partners, including Australia, on its four key priorities for the summit: recognition of a state of Palestine, normalization of regional relations, reform of the Palestinian Authority, and disarmament of Hamas. A French spokesperson stated that Macron hopes this recognition would integrate into a broader political dynamic, facilitating both the establishment of a Palestinian state and Israel’s enhanced regional and international integration, and specifically noted Australia’s strong commitment to these aims.
Further signaling a potential policy recalibration, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese recently delivered his strongest rebuke yet of Israel’s aid blockade in Gaza, calling it an “outrage.” This aligns with Macron’s call for European nations to adopt a “harder collective stance” on Israel if the humanitarian crisis persists. Conversely, Australia’s opposition maintains a firm stance, arguing that Palestinian statehood should only be recognized following a comprehensive peace process that includes the release of all hostages held by Hamas, warning against “rewarding terrorism.”