Is Australia considering recognizing Palestine as a state? Foreign Minister Penny Wong says a two-state solution is ‘the only hope to break the endless cycle of violence’

Recognition of a Palestinian state is the Middle East’s “only hope of breaking the endless cycle of violence,” says Foreign Minister Penny Wong, urging all sides to return to the negotiating table as the war continues continues.

In a speech at the Australian National University, Senator Wong said a secure and prosperous future for both Israelis and Palestinians is only possible with a two-state solution.

“Recognizing a Palestinian state – a state that can only coexist with secure Israel – not only offers the Palestinian people the opportunity to realize their ambitions,” she said at a National Security College conference on Tuesday.

“It also strengthens forces for peace and undermines extremism. It undermines Hamas, Iran and other destructive allies of Iran in the region.

“This is why we urge all parties to return to the table, and why we are committed to supporting all efforts to advance a political process, including discussions among regional leaders.”

Her comments come after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese signaled Labor’s support for a two-state solution, referring to British Foreign Secretary David Cameron saying Britain would consider recognizing a Palestinian state, including at the United Nations.

Senator Wong said there has been “widespread frustration” over the lack of progress towards a two-state solution – a Palestinian state in the occupied West Bank and Gaza alongside Israel – since the Oslo Accords were signed in the early 1990s.

“So the international community is now considering the issue of Palestinian statehood as a way to build momentum toward a two-state solution,” Senator Wong said.

She ruled out that Hamas would play any role in leading a Palestinian state, but that that task should go to a reformed Palestinian Authority.

“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.”

The foreign minister also warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu again against carrying out a planned ground offensive in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, the enclave’s last refuge for displaced Palestinians.

“We say again: do not go down this path,” Senator Wong said.

The conflict in Gaza was sparked by Hamas’ cross-border attack in southern Israel on October 7, which killed 1,200 people and took more than 250 hostage, according to Israeli figures.

More than 33,000 Palestinians have been killed in six months of conflict, Gaza’s health ministry says.

Most of the enclave’s 2.3 million people are homeless and many are at risk of famine.