Natalie Barr has confronted Anthony Albanese after his Foreign Secretary Penny Wong was accused of the ‘most reckless’ diplomatic act in decades.
In a speech at the Australian National University on Tuesday, Senator Wong said recognizing a Palestinian state is the only way to break the cycle of violence and bring peace to both Palestinians and Israelis.
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton quickly joined Jewish leaders in labeling Ms Wong’s comments as “completely illogical, ill-timed and inappropriate.”
Mr Dutton said pushing for a two-state solution was the most “reckless act by a foreign minister I have seen in my 22 years in parliament”.
During an appearance on Barr’s Sunrise show, she confronted Mr Albanese about Wong’s comments.
‘Peter Dutton says this is the most reckless act by a foreign minister in 20 years, Jewish groups are outraged. They say we have war. This will reward Hamas. Were these statements not timely?’
“Well, this is just more nasty negativity from Peter Dutton,” Mr Albanese replied.
“I’m talking today about jobs, the future, the Australian economy. But of course also with a focus on a conflict that has existed all my life and the whole world knows that there must be a two-state solution in the Middle East.
“That’s something that’s been Australia’s policy for a long time and I’ve been very consistent about it for a long time.
“But Hamas cannot play a role in a future state. We have also made that very clear. Just like the rest of the Western world.’
Natalie Barr asked Anthony Albanese if Ms Wong’s statements were “badly timed.”
Foreign Senator Penny Wong said recognizing a Palestinian state is the only way to break the endless cycle of violence and bring peace to both Palestinians and Israelis.
Presenter Karl Stefanovic also put pressure on the prime minister on Thursday, asking whether he had a formal plan to recognize the Palestinian state.
Mr Albanese did not answer the question, instead emphasizing that his government has always advocated a two-state solution in the Middle East.
“Israel’s right to exist within secure borders, without being threatened by organizations like Hamas committed to Israel’s destruction, has no role in the Middle East, but we need justice for the Palestinians,” he said .
Stefanovic compared the task of separating Hamas and a Palestinian state as “separating the milk and the dark chocolate on the upper deck of Cadbury.”
“I mean, it’s pretty much impossible, isn’t it?” he asked.
Mr Albanese hit back, telling the host: “That’s not right.”
“If you look at the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank, it is not led by Hamas. And we must ensure that Hamas does not play a role,” he said.
“What we must do, however, is ensure that Palestinians can also have hope for a secure future. We have seen generations sentenced to conditions that are completely unacceptable, and that has been a source of tension.
“And what we need to do is look beyond what happens after the current conflict. And a two-state solution is something that needs to be promoted. As the United States, the United Kingdom and all our like-minded countries have said.”
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton quickly joined Jewish leaders in dismissing Ms Wong’s comments as “completely illogical, ill-timed and inappropriate.”
The foreign minister ruled out that Hamas would play any role in leading a Palestinian state, but that that task would have to go to a reformed Palestinian Authority (photo, Palestinians in Gaza)
In her speech at a National Security College conference, Ms Wong said there was “widespread frustration” over the lack of progress towards the formation of a Palestinian state in the occupied West Bank and Gaza alongside Israel.
“So the international community is now considering the issue of Palestinian statehood as a way to build momentum toward a two-state solution,” she said.
“There is no role for Hamas in a future Palestinian state. Hamas is a terrorist organization whose express purpose is to destroy the State of Israel and the Jewish people,” she said.
The foreign minister ruled out that Hamas would play any role in leading a Palestinian state, but that that task would have to go to a reformed Palestinian Authority.
But her comments angered the opposition leader, who accused the Albanian government of having a “clear bias” against Israel.
“In a gross domestic political victory, Penny Wong has irreparably damaged our relations with our ally Israel,” Dutton said.
“It is the most reckless act by a foreign secretary I have seen in my 22 years in parliament – and it has weakened our international standing.”