PM Albanese responds to viral Gaza photo, signals major shift on Palestinian state recognition

News.com.au

6 days ago

It's the shocking image that reverberated around the globe, and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has referred to it again today as he outlined why Australia could recognise the Palestinian state 'before the finalisation of a peace process.'
The child's name is Muhammad Zakariya Ayyoub al-Matouq. He is reportedly 18 months old. The distressing image of his skeletal frame has gone viral, prompting world leaders to react with horror and demand action.
Amid increasing calls from Labor MPs and rank and file members for action, Mr Albanese was asked in question time when Australia would act.
'My question is for the Prime Minister. I have been swamped by electorate people writing to me of their horror of the atrocities occurring in Gaza,'' independent MP Sophie Scamps said.
'France will soon join 147 nations in recognising Palestine as a state and a step towards As we witness the mass starvation and the killing of so many civilians and children in Gaza, when will Australia be prepared to recognise Palestine as a state?'
In response, Mr Albanese said he too 'shares the distress that people around the world would feel when they look at young Mohammed, 1 year old'.
Mr Albanese was not asked about the photograph – but spoke about his emotional response to the distressing picture.
'He is not a threat to the state of Israel nor is he someone who can be seen to be a fighter for Hamas,'' he said.
'He's a young child who deserves to be treated appropriately.
'And the position of the Australian government is very clear. That every innocent life matters.
'Every Israeli and every Palestinian. This conflict has stolen far too many innocent lives, tens of thousands of civilians are dead, children are starving.'
The images of the horrifically emaciated child and his desperate mother have shocked the world since they were released last week.
But more recently they have become controversial with pro-Israel group HonestReporting insisting the boy's older brother, Joud, in the background of the image does not look emaciated and claim this is because his younger brother suffers from a 'muscle disorder'.
The shocking image, taken on July 22 by Turkey's state-owned Anadolu news agency, shows the toddler's spine protruding from his tiny back as his mother cradles him in her arms.
When the BBC interviewed the image's photographer, Ahmed Jihad Ibrahim al-Arini, he said that the image underlined the widespread starvation.
Australia's conditions
In parliament, Mr Albanese said Australia was calling upon Israel to comply immediately with its obligations under international law.
'We have also unequivocally condemned Hamas and said it can play no role whatsoever in the future state of Palestine and hostages must be released immediately,'' he said.
'I make three points about recognition. The first is that my government is committed to a two-state solution. Israel and Palestine.
'That has been a bipartisan position for a long period of time. Australia played a role in the creation of the state of Israel in 1948 and it's something we should be proud of.
'But what was envisaged was two states, not one.
PM's shift on Palestinian recognition
'The second point I'd make is that the foreign minister announced last year that the recognition of a Palestinian state by Australia might occur before the finalisation of a peace process,'' Mr Albanese said.
'The third point is that the timing of a decision to recognise the state of Palestine will be determined by whether that decision advances the realisation of that objective. It must be more than a gesture.
'It must be something that's a part of moving forward.
'Prime Minister John Howard said in 2006 that there can be no solution to the Middle East without solving the Palestinian question, and that means not just Israel's right to live in peace and security and to defend itself.
'It also means the realisation of the legitimate aspiration of the Palestinian people to live in their own state, with peace and security and the prospect of prosperity.'
Labor MPs break ranks
Labor MP Ed Husic has urged the Albanese Government to recognise the Palestinian state 'now'.
'I understand the logic that's been expressed by our government, that has said it should be part of a process, but the reality is that events have changed and, particularly over the last 20 months, what we've seen every month seems to be more horrific that the last,' he told Sky News.
'I believe this is a strong opportunity for us, given we have said in two elections that we would support the state of Palestine. We should be making the case and saying we're prepared to recognise that now.'
PM accuses Israel of starving children
The Prime Minister has warned the situation in Gaza has gone 'beyond the world's worst fears' and accused Israel of denying aid to starving children in his strongest criticism to date.
'The situation in Gaza has gone beyond the world's worst fears,' Mr Albanese said on Friday.
'The position of the Australian Government is clear: every innocent life matters.
'Every Israeli. Every Palestinian. This conflict has stolen far too many innocent lives.'
Mr Albanese's statement also accused Israel of denying aid to children in Gaza and killing civilians.
'Tens of thousands of civilians are dead, children are starving,' he said.
'Gaza is in the grip of a humanitarian catastrophe. Israel's denial of aid and the killing of civilians, including children, seeking access to water and food cannot be defended or ignored.
It follows British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer warning the Palestinian people have an 'inalienable right' to a state of their own and French President Emmanuel Macron confirming he will support moves to recognise a Palestinian state in September at the UN General Assembly.