Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has accused Israel of being “in a state of denial” over the worsening humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, where civilians are enduring relentless bombardment, mass displacement, and severe shortages of food, water, and medicine. He said the Israeli leadership has consistently ignored warnings from its allies about the urgent need to address the crisis, leaving millions of Palestinians trapped in conditions that threaten their survival.

Canberra has now announced that it will formally recognise the State of Palestine during the upcoming United Nations General Assembly, a decision that marks a historic shift in Australian foreign policy. This move places Australia alongside a growing number of countries, including France, the United Kingdom, and Canada, that have recently taken similar steps in response to the ongoing siege and humanitarian collapse in Gaza. The recognition reflects mounting global frustration at Israel’s actions and its continued defiance of international appeals.

Albanese stressed that the recognition is not merely symbolic, but a necessary stand for justice and human dignity. He said Australia could not remain passive while Gaza’s population suffers under a blockade and military occupation, warning that silence in the face of such suffering would amount to complicity. The decision sends a clear message to the international community that ending Gaza’s agony and restoring Palestinian rights must be an urgent global priority.