Full Story Newsroom edition: when will Australia recognise Palestine?
Jul 31, 2025
Patrick Keneally, Deputy Editor at Guardian Australia, and Mike Ticher, Head of Newsroom at Guardian Australia, delve into Australia’s stance on recognizing Palestine. They discuss the recent international momentum for statehood recognition and its potential influence on Australian foreign policy. The pair highlight the pressures from grassroots movements and evolving attitudes within the government amid the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. They also explore the complexities of this geopolitical issue, envisioning what recognition could mean for the future.
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Australia's Hesitant Shift on Palestine
- Australia is moving towards recognizing Palestine but hasn't set a timeline or clear conditions for doing so.
- The decision is influenced by other allied countries' actions and worsening conditions in Gaza.
New York Call Signals Policy Shift
- Australia signed the 'New York Call' letter indicating willingness to recognize Palestine, a shift from previous policy.
- Recognition has moved from a future peace process matter to a potentially immediate political tool.
Recognition Tied to Political Change
- Recognition criteria for statehood are clear but current political realities make those criteria less evident.
- Moves to recognize Palestine seek to drive political change, not reflect new facts on the ground.