Australia PM Critiques Netanyahu's Denial Over Gaza Crisis

In a recent statement, Albanese disclosed that Australia would recognize Palestine at the UN, expressing frustration towards Israel's leadership and acknowledging the urgency to halt violence affecting civilians.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has voiced strong criticisms towards Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, stating that he is "in denial" regarding the impact of the ongoing Gaza war. During a media briefing on Monday, Albanese announced that Australia would officially recognize a Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly scheduled for next month, following similar actions taken by nations like the UK, France, and Canada. This decision, according to Albanese, reflects the sentiment of many Australians who are concerned about the increasing toll of violence in the region.

The Australian PM underscored that the choice to recognize Palestine had been influenced by the growing frustration with the Israeli government's handling of the conflict, which has resulted in a significant loss of civilian lives. Specifically, he highlighted reports indicating that five individuals, including a child, have succumbed to malnutrition in just the past 24 hours. Overall, the Hamas-run health ministry reported that malnutrition-related fatalities have reached 222, with children numbering 101 among them. While Israel denies the occurrence of starvation in Gaza, it accuses UN agencies of failing to properly distribute humanitarian aid.

In dialogue with ABC, Albanese shared that he had spoken with Netanyahu about Australia’s stance. "The stoppage of aid has led to needless loss of life in Gaza, especially at aid distribution centers," he emphasized. Furthermore, he noted that Netanyahu, in their conversation, continued to deny the tragic consequences that innocent civilians are facing.

Following the announcement, responses from different Australian communities have varied. The Executive Council of Australian Jewry criticized the recognition as a "betrayal," while some Palestinian supporters contend that the move doesn't go far enough. Additionally, right-leaning opposition leader Sussan Ley has deemed the decision "disrespectful" to Australia's ally, the United States.

In recent weeks, widespread pro-Palestinian protests emerged in Sydney, notably attracting at least 90,000 participants. The conflict intensified after Israel initiated military actions in response to a Hamas-led attack on October 7, which resulted in around 1,200 deaths. Israel's ongoing military campaign has since claimed the lives of over 61,000 people, according to Hamas officials. As the situation remains tense, Australians continue to advocate for a resolution that brings peace and stability to the region.