AustraliaâPalestine relations refer to foreign relations between Australia and the
State of Palestine.[1] Australia does not recognise the State of Palestine but does support a two state solution.[2][3]
Australia has a representative office in Ramallah, West Bank.[2]
History
Early history
The AustraliaâPalestine relationship started in 1982 with the establishment of a Palestinian information office in
Canberra. In 1989, the Australian Government recognised the Palestinian information office as the official representative of the
Palestinian Liberation Organization. In 1994, this office was upgraded to the status of
general delegation.[4] Australia established a representative office in
Ramallah in September 2000.[2]
2010s
In 2012 Australia voted for making Palestine a Non-Member Observer State in the United Nations.[5]
Riad Malki, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Palestine visited Australia in 2015.[6]Tony Abbott withdrew Australian opposition to Israeli settlements in the West Bank and
Malcolm Turnbull criticised United Nations resolutions against settlement activities.[7][8] In 2018 the
Morrison government recognised
Jerusalem as the capital of Israel but would not immediately relocate its embassy from
Tel Aviv.[9] This made Australia the third country after the
United States and
Guatemala to recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital.[10]
During the
Israel-Hamas War, the Australian government defended Israel's right to defend itself and retaliate against Hamas' 7 October attack.[17] It called for the release of hostages taken by Hamas.[18]Gareth Evans, and
Bob Carr have called on Australia to recognise Palestine.[19]Palestine Action Group organised protests against the war in Australia.[20] The Palestinian Authority was critical of the Australian government's response to the conflict.[21]
Public opinion
Some Aboriginal Australians including the Aboriginal Legal Service have expressed sympathy for Palestinians due to perceived historical parallels.[22]Australian Jewish journalist
Antony Loewenstein has criticised mainstream Australian
Zionist groups such as AIJAC and the
Executive Council of Australian Jewry for supporting Israel's military occupation of the Palestinians.[23]
During the IsraelâHamas war a poll by the Guardian Essential found Australians wanted their government to provide aid to the Palestinians.[24] In May 2024, a
YouGov poll conducted between 19 and 23 April found that 35% of Australians supported recognising a Palestinian state. 21% opposed recognition while 44% stated that they did not know.[25]
^"Australia". General Delegation of Palestine to Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific.
Archived from the original on 5 March 2024. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
^"Press Conference Adelaide". Minister for Foreign Affairs. 22 November 2023.
Archived from the original on 25 December 2023. Retrieved 25 December 2023.