Recognition of the Palestinian state is an essential step to achieve peace and stability in the world and to bring an end to the Zionist colonial expansionist project in the Middle East. It is time that Australia be on the right side of history, recognise the state of Palestine and stand up in defence of international order.

Australia’s recognition of the State of Palestine is a correct and overdue decision. It is a correction of the long-biased Australian policy approach that has favoured Israel; and the implementation of an evenhanded policy, a two-state solution, that is in line with Australia’s support of the 1947 partition of Palestine.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong is correct in saying that international recognition of Palestine as a state will help “build momentum towards a two-state solution” between Palestinians and Israel.

It is a policy in line with the ALP platform and with the opinion of most Australians.

The claims of the Opposition Coalition, whose policy direction comes from the Israeli lobby and the Murdoch media, are wrong, ludicrous, and lack credibility. Contrary to their claims, recognition of Palestine encourages and supports the peace camp in both Palestine and Israel to solve the Palestinian issue through peaceful means and end the cycle of violence and wars.

While the PLO recognised Israel’s right to exist in 1988, Israel maintains its refusal to recognise Palestine’s right to exist. During his election campaign in 2015 Netanyahu said, “If I’m elected, there will be no Palestinian state.” And in a Tweet in Hebrew, on 28.12.2022 he wrote, “These are the basic lines of the national government headed by me: The Jewish people have an exclusive and unquestionable right to all areas of the Land of Israel. The government will promote and develop settlements in all parts of the Land of Israel – in the Galilee, the Negev, the Golan, Judea and Samaria.”

Netanyahu’s actions and rejection of Palestine’s right to exist require more than ever a clear, effective, and principled Australian stand. The failure of Australia and some Western countries to recognise the State of Palestine encourages Netanyahu and his extremist partners in the government who are settler leaders such as ministers Ben Gvir, Smotrich, and others. They are the camp that advocated for the assassination of........

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