Albanese himself said Thursday that he had discussed the crisis in Gaza with his UK counterpart, Keir Starmer, and reiterated his government\u2019s strong support for a two-state solution for Israel and the Palestinians.<\/p>\n
Starmer this week said<\/a> Britain was planning to recognize a Palestinian state in September at the United Nations General Assembly \u2014 unless Israel ended the Gaza war and committed to peace \u2014 in response to growing public anger over the reports of starving children<\/a> in Gaza. Israel denies that there is famine in the enclave and blames UN agencies for not distributing aid supplies that are waiting at the border.<\/p>\n Before Starmer\u2019s announcement, France <\/a>said it would recognize a Palestinian state at the GA, leading to speculation that a wave of other countries would follow it. Canada<\/a> did so on Wednesday.<\/p>\n \n\t\t\tGet The Times of Israel’s Daily Edition \t\t\t\tBy signing up, you agree to the terms<\/a><\/p>\n Australia has not yet made a formal decision to recognize Palestinian statehood, though Albanese supports Israel\u2019s right to exist within secure borders and Palestinians\u2019 right to demand their own state.<\/p>\n \t Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese speaks during a press conference at Merdeka Palace in Jakarta, Indonesia, May 15, 2025. (Dita Alangkara\/AP)<\/p>\n In a statement, Albanese said he and Starmer agreed on the importance of using international momentum to secure a ceasefire, the release of all hostages held by Hamas, and the acceleration of aid to the devastated enclave. They also want to ensure that Hamas, which rules Gaza, does not play a role in a future Palestinian state.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat we will continue to do is to put forward a principled position consistent with our unwavering commitment to the vision of the two-state solution,\u201d Albanese said at a press briefing. \u201cIn an immediate sense, we continue to call for a ceasefire. We continue to call for hostages to be released. We continue to say that Hamas can have no role in a future Palestinian state, and we continue to call for aid to be allowed to the people of Gaza.\u201d<\/p>\n Earlier this week, Albanese said that Israel had \u201cquite clearly<\/a>\u201d breached international law during the war in Gaza, but also said his country does not plan to \u201cimminently\u201d recognize a Palestinian state.<\/p>\n Israel has criticized France, Britain and Canada, saying their decision rewards Hamas for its October 7, 2023, devastating attack on southern Israel that killed 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and saw 251 abducted as hostages to the Gaza Strip, where 50 remain in captivity, more than half believed no longer alive.<\/p>\n
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