Australian Prime Minister: Netanyahu in Denial about the Situation in Gaza

SadaNews - The Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced on Tuesday that his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu is "in denial" regarding the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, just a day after Albanese declared that Australia would recognize a Palestinian state for the first time.

Albanese stated on Monday that Australia would recognize the Palestinian state at the United Nations General Assembly next month, adding to international pressure on Israel following similar announcements from France, Britain, and Canada.

Albanese considered on Tuesday that Netanyahu's government's reluctance to listen to its allies contributed to Australia's decision to recognize the Palestinian state.

In an interview with the official Australian channel "ABC," he commented on a call with Netanyahu on Thursday: "He (Netanyahu) repeated to me again what he has also said publicly, which is the denial of the consequences faced by the innocent."

Australia's decision to recognize the Palestinian state is conditional on commitments received from the Palestinian Authority, including that Hamas should have no role in any future state.

Opposition leader Susan Ley, who leans right, stated that the measure, which contradicts the long-standing policy of both major parties regarding Israel and the Palestinian territories, threatens to jeopardize Australia's relationship with the United States.

Albanese had said last month that he would not discuss a timeline for recognizing the Palestinian state.

His Labor Party, which won a majority in last May's general elections, had previously warned against dividing public opinion in Australia, which has significant Jewish and Muslim minorities.

However, public sentiment has sharply changed after Israel revealed plans for military control over Gaza, amid increasing reports of hunger and malnutrition among its population.

Tens of thousands of protesters marched across Sydney's Harbour Bridge this month, demanding aid be delivered to Gaza as the humanitarian crisis worsens.