Labor recognising Palestinian statehood would be a ‘mistake'
'I think you have to view this all through the lens of domestic politics and especially managing the left and managing the Labor Party,' Mr Sheridan told Sky News host James Macpherson.
'The current worry the government has of not having another bit of trouble with the Trump administration, I think, recognising a Palestinian state would be a mistake.'
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Historic strike chaos engulfs Queensland as teachers walk off the job in all of its state schools for first time in 16 years
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The Australian
an hour ago
- The Australian
PM restates support for two-state solution in call with French President
Anthony Albanese has restated support for a two-state solution in a call with the world leader leading the push to recognise a Palestinian state next month. Anthony Albanese has restated Australia's support for a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine in a phone call with Emmanuel Macron. The French President was the first major Western leader to conditionally commit to recognising a Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly (UNGA) next month amid starvation in Gaza. The UK and Canada soon followed, sparking speculation that Australia could be next. The Prime Minister has neither committed to nor ruled out doing so, but his government has acknowledged the global 'momentum' for Palestinian statehood. 'The leaders spoke about the crisis in Gaza and their ongoing commitment to getting aid to civilians,' according to a readout of the call put out on Wednesday. 'Both leaders discussed their longstanding support for a two-state solution.' The readout said they also 'discussed action on climate and France's support for Australia's joint bid to host COP31 in partnership with the Pacific' as well as 'the importance of finalising the Australia-EU Free Trade Agreement'. 'The leaders agreed to stay in close touch and meet again at the United Nations General Assembly in September,' it said. Mr Macron also spoke to New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon overnight. Remarking on the calls, the French leader said Paris, Canberra and Wellington were all on the same page. 'Australia, New Zealand, and France share the same commitment to the immediate release of all hostages held by Hamas, the large-scale and unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, and the implementation of a political solution based on two states, living side by side in peace and security,' he posted on social media. 'We are working together towards these goals ahead of the upcoming Conference on the Two-State Solution to be held in New York during the UN General Assembly.' Mr Albanese held a similar call with Mahmoud Abbas, the president of the Palestinian Authority, earlier this week. — Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) August 5, 2025 In their pledges to recognise Palestine, France, the UK and Canada all condemned Hamas' October 7 attacks on Israel in 2023 and said the Palestinian Islamist group cannot play a role in Gaza's governance. Though, all have also made clear the civilian suffering in the war-ravaged strip cannot continue either. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he would go ahead with recognition if Israel did not loosen its chokehold on aid flowing into Gaza, where the death toll from starvation has climbed to nearly 200, according to local health officials. Foreign Minister Penny Wong on Tuesday repeated the Albanese government's condemnation of Hamas and said there was an 'unique opportunity in the international community to isolate and diminish' it while giving life to a Palestinian state. Meanwhile, Israeli media has reported Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is mulling a complete occupation of Gaza. Such a move would put deal a major blow to progress on Palestinian statehood. NewsWire Nathan Buckley admits the Melbourne coaching job presents a 'compelling case' for his return but needs convincing to abandon his comfortable media role. Breaking News The Storm famously sent Harry Grant to the Wests Tigers in a move that helped him develop immensely. Now they could do something similar.
