Australia

Netanyahu Blasts Australian Palestinian Recognition

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has slammed Australia’s potential plan to recognize Palestinian statehood within the next few days. Stating that such recognition from Israel or any other country “will not bring peace, it will bring war”. Netanyahu emphasizes the urgency of the situation.

Published

8 months ago

August 11, 2025

Heath Clark

an image of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with an organge background and a star of david

“To have European Countries and Australia, march into that Rabbit Hole, just like that, fall right into it…it’s disappointing, and I think it’s actually shameful, but it won’t change our position” – Benjamin Netanyahu (PM of Israel)

Mr Netanyahu claims that Israel must control Gaza and that it is only possible once the IDF has eliminated Hamas and freed the hostages. Netanyahu claims that the state of Israel is facing a “global campaign of lies” and deception in it’s war against Hamas, claiming that countries such as Australia are deluded if the think recognition of Palestine will bring peace in the middle east.

This comes after the Israeli security cabinet late last week voted in favor of a proposal put forward by the Prime Minister for expanded military action in Gaza, with plans of full occupation of the strip. As a result countries like the UK, Canada and France have put forward conditional steps to Palestinian recognition, which requires the removal of Hamas (a registered terrorist organization) in a future state.

Benjamin Netanyahu has also knocked back the suggestions that the Israeli military has gone well beyond it’s “self-defence mandate” in the wake of the October 7th attacks in 2023. Also declining that the international community could no longer stomach the death wrought since.

Netanyahu’s comments reflect his strong opposition to this recognition, arguing that a clear stance against Hamas is necessary for peace.

Benjamin Netanyahu continues to assert that stability in the region requires a firm response against any group that threatens Israel.

Netanyahu believes that the international community must recognize the complexities involved in dealing with Hamas.

While the Israel government has also not made it clear what the governance of the territories after occupation would look like, he said it was “instructive” of some Arab nations (of which including Egypt, Qatar and Saudi Arabia) for these nations to be responsible in the governance of the region. However there are no specifics as of yet.

He has warned that actions like those proposed by Australia could undermine Israel’s security and strengthen terrorist organizations.

“I think we’re actually applying force judiciously, and they know it”

“They know what they would do if right next to Melbourne or right next to Sydney you had this horrific attack” – Benjamin Netanyahu (PM of Israel)

Australian Palestinian recognition on the way

Currently, 147 of the 193 member states of the United nations recognise a Palestinian state, while a handful including the US and Australia do not.

However over the weeks Australia’s pathway to recognition has accelerated, with Jim Chalmers and the Labor Cohort suggesting “recognition of Palestine is a matter of when, not if” while Minister of Foreign Affairs Penny Wong has pushed the matter with greater urgency, claiming “there is a risk there will be no Palestine left to recognise if the world does not act,”

However, the Coalition argues that the primary roadblock to recognition is that the Palestinian territories are governed—at least in Gaza—by Hamas, which is designated as a terrorist organisation by Australia and much of the international community. In late July Opposition Leader Sussan Ley stated “I am a friend of the Palestinian people. I’m not a friend of that leadership. I’m not a friend of Hamas”, while Andrew Hastie had cautioned a lot of conditions must be met” for Palestinian recognition.

Despite this, There is ‘precedent’ to recognise countries under terrorist occupation, Home Affairs minister Tony Burke has claimed. Australia has recognized other nations in the past even while under partial terrorist control. Lebanon, Afghanistan and Israel itself have been recognised under periods of occupation. The federal government maintains Hamas can play no role in a future Palestinian state.

“There have frequently been countries where part of that nation has been occupied by a terrorist group and we haven’t ceased to recognise the country,” – Tony Burke MP (Minister for Home Affairs)

In summary, Australia’s potential recognition of Palestinian statehood marks a significant development in its foreign policy amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East. While some political leaders emphasize the importance of acknowledging Palestinian sovereignty, others highlight the challenges posed by the current governance of the territories and security concerns. The situation remains complex, with differing views both within Australia and internationally on the best path forward. As discussions continue, the broader impact of any decision will be closely watched by governments and communities around the world.