Opposition energy spokesman Dan Tehan has responded to this masthead’s report that Prime Minister Anthony Albanese could recognise Palestine as soon as today, saying he hopes Albanese can articulate his view on the role of Hamas in a future Palestinian state and questioning how recognition would progress peace talks in the Middle East.
Tehan criticised the latest push for Palestinian statehood, which comes after France, Britain and Canada all announced recognition plans in recent weeks, noting concerns about the influence of Hamas in the region.
Anthony Albanese (right) could recognise Palestine today, hours after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (left) blasted Australia’s push.Credit: AP, Alex Ellinghausen
“I hope the prime minister and the foreign minister clearly articulate what role they seek in recognising a Palestinian state, and what are they doing to make sure that Hamas will have no role in governing a future Palestinian state,” Tehan told Sky News.
“Everything seems to be about a recognition of a Palestinian state, they seem to have forgotten that an internationally listed terrorist organisation, at the moment, is governing parts of Gaza.
“If what you’re doing, and it might have all the best intentions in the world, but all it’s leading to is Hamas withdrawing from peace negotiations and leaving the Palestinians in an even more precarious state.”
Britain and Canada both included conditions to their move to recognise Palestine, such as an urgent commitment from Israel towards peace, an end to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, and for Hamas to play no part in future general elections.
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