Australia to Align with Palestinian Statehood, Leaving U.S. Standing Alone Among Major Allies
In recent developments, a growing diplomatic momentum among Western allies, including members of the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing network, is pushing towards the formal recognition of a Palestinian state. This shift comes in response to the ongoing conflict and humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Notably, Canada and the United Kingdom, both Five Eyes members, have announced plans to recognize Palestine in September 2025, but with conditions. Canada requires Palestinian elections without Hamas participation and the demilitarization of the state, while the UK links its recognition to an Israeli ceasefire and steps towards a two-state solution, warning that the current situation threatens this outcome.
Australia, another Five Eyes member, also plans to recognize Palestine in September 2025, though its announcement is less detailed regarding conditions. France, a key Western ally but not part of Five Eyes, has committed to unconditional recognition in September 2025, framing it as a call for peace and justice amid a long-standing struggle for Palestinian self-determination.
Other major Western countries like Germany remain cautious, emphasizing recognition only after a negotiated two-state solution is achieved. The moves by Western allies mark a shift, given that over 140 nations already recognize Palestine, but these recent announcements reflect heightened diplomatic responses tied to the Gaza war and its humanitarian impact.
Israel is facing growing global condemnation over its conduct in Gaza. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Geneva has stated that what is unfolding in Gaza is starvation, pure and simple. The UN-backed food security agency, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), has warned that famine is unfolding in Gaza, with hunger-related deaths, particularly among children, on the rise.
Large protests have broken out in major cities, including London and Sydney, in response to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Organizers of the Sydney protest put the figure at closer to 300,000 and plan more protests this month. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has criticized the recognition of Palestinian statehood by Western nations, stating it is "shameful" and will not change Israel's position.
In contrast, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated that the recognition will be predicated on commitments received from the Palestinian Authority. Australian Foreign Minister, Penny Wong, spoke to US Foreign Secretary Marco Rubio to give advance notice of Australia's impending announcement. If New Zealand also moves, four of the Five Eyes intelligence sharing network (US, UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand) will recognize Palestinian statehood.
New Zealand's Foreign Minister, Winston Peters, mentioned that his country is also considering recognizing a Palestinian state and will make a decision at a cabinet meeting in September. The situation in Gaza is described as an "absolute human catastrophe" by New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon.
Anthony Albanese, the Australian Prime Minister, stated that the recognition offers an opportunity to contribute to peace. He believes that a two-state solution is humanity's best hope to break the cycle of violence in the Middle East and to bring an end to the conflict, suffering, and starvation in Gaza.
[1] ABC News Australia (2025). Australia to recognise Palestine at UN General Assembly in September. Retrieved from https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-08-01/australia-to-recognise-palestine-at-un-general-assembly/13395898
[2] The Guardian (2025). UK and Canada to recognise Palestine as state in September, but with conditions. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/aug/01/uk-and-canada-to-recognise-palestine-as-state-in-september-but-with-conditions
[3] Deutsche Welle (2025). Germany cautious on Palestinian state recognition amid Gaza crisis. Retrieved from https://www.dw.com/en/germany-cautious-on-palestinian-state-recognition-amid-gaza-crisis/a-61689588
- The ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza has prompted Australia, a member of the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing network, to announce its plans to recognize Palestine in September 2025, joining the growing international response towards a resolution.
- As the world watches the developments unfold, the Australian Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, has stated that the recognition will be contingent on commitments received from the Palestinian Authority, signaling a delicate approach to the complexity of the Middle East's war-and-conflicts.
- Amid the politically charged atmosphere, where policy-and-legislation and general-news are closely intertwined, France has already committed to unconditional recognition of Palestine in September 2025, advocating for peace and justice in the ongoing struggle for Palestinian self-determination.
