Albanese’s backflip has consequences
In Australia, 67 per cent who answered an AJN poll believe it will lead to more antisemitism.
On July 27, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told the ABC’s Insiders that recognition of a Palestinian state was not imminent. “We won’t make any decision as a gesture,” he added, explaining that certain conditions needed to be met.
On July 30, he made the same assurances in a meeting with the Executive Council of Australian Jewry.
Just 11 days later, Albanese backflipped. That none of the circumstances he had previously cited have come to pass means he was either being dishonest then, or is dangerously improvising policy as he goes on a fragile and complex issue. Neither option instils faith in the Prime Minister as a statesman or as a leader.
Albanese and Foreign Minister Penny Wong may truly believe – however mistakenly – that prematurely recognising a State of Palestine will somehow help to bring about peace.
They may deny the obvious truth that their announcement is a reward for Hamas, who they insist should not be part of a Palestinian state as if their proclamation will miraculously make that so, even as they condemn Israel for acting towards that outcome.
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