Warning to Albo after big Gaza move
World leaders will meet in New York for the UN General Assembly (UNGA) in September.
Last week, French President Emmanuel Macron was the first major Western leader to say he would officially recognise Palestine at the summit.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer this week said he would do the same unless Israel stopped the war in Gaza, where the number of civilians dying from starvation is growing daily due to the Israeli government's chokehold on aid.
With Canada's Mark Carney also pledging to recognise Palestinian statehood at the UNGA, there is speculation Anthony Albanese could follow suit. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is facing international pressure to recognise a Palestinian state this year. Martin Ollman / NewsWire Credit: News Corp Australia
Senator Paterson said such a move would legitimise Hamas, the Islamist militants that still control most of war-torn Gaza.
'It's not a matter for me to commentate on Canadian foreign policy – that's a matter for the Canadian government,' he told Sky News.
'But I'm very happy to give you my view on Australian foreign policy, and that is that I do not support the premature recognition of a Palestinian state before the conclusion of a peace process that establishes two states of Israel and Palestine.
'And the reason for that is that if you were to recognise a Palestinian state today, as the Albanese government is leaning towards doing, you would be recognising a state which is in part governed by a terrorist organisation … which continues to hold 50 Israelis hostage.
'Which has sworn the destruction of the State of Israel and the people in it, which has caused death and devastation for people of Gaza.' Senator James Paterson is warning against 'premature recognition of a Palestinian state'. Jason Edwards / NewsWire Credit: News Corp Australia
Senator Paterson also took aim at the Palestinian Authority, which governs the West Bank.
He lambasted the governing body for not holding an election since 2006, calling it 'deeply corrupt'.
More to come.
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