Diplomatic Challenges and Pressures on Recognition of Palestine

On Wednesday, Australia joined 14 other countries to describe the recognition of Palestine as ‘an essential step towards the two-state solution’, linking progress on statehood to the upcoming United Nations general assembly meeting in September. But the prime minister has resisted demands for increased sanctions on Israel as clamour grows to follow the UK, France and Canada in recognising Palestine as a state. Reged Ahmad talks to deputy editor Patrick Keneally and the head of newsroom, Mike Ticher, about the pressure pushing Australia towards Palestinian recognition