Anthony Albanese is applauded as he doubles down on recognising Palestine in UN address - despite fury from the US
Anthony Albanese has received applause as he delivered Australia's vision for a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict at the United Nations General Assembly, despite backlash from the US White House.
The Prime Minister addressed the world leaders in New York on Tuesday morning (AEST), a day after Australia's formal recognition of Palestine as a state.
Australia has joined Britain, Canada and Portugal in formally recognising a Palestinian state, with more countries including France set to follow suit.
Albanese received a hearty round of applause from world leaders after announcing that Australia had formally recognised the state of Palestine.
He declared that Hamas can have 'no role in Palestine's future' and renewed calls for the group to return hostages immediately and with dignity.
'We must choose a different path. We must break this cycle of violence and build something better,' Albanese told world leaders.
'We have been clear: the terrorist organisation Hamas can have no role in Palestine's future.
'Our recognition was predicated on commitments from the Palestinian Authority, reaffirming Israel's right to exist in peace and security, that Hamas turn over its weapons to Palestinian security forces and never control Gaza again.'
Anthony Albanese has addressed world leaders at the United Nations General Assembly
Before his address, Albanese was seen in discussions with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres
'And the PA (Palestinian Authority) must demilitarise, hold democratic elections, and undertake wholesale reform to governance, finance and education.
Albanese said the Arab League added strength to the commitment towards a two-state solution.
'Their demand for Hamas to surrender its weapons and end its rule in Gaza has helped create this historic opportunity - a chance to deliver self-determination for Palestine in a way that permanently disarms Hamas and drives them from the region once and for all, recognising the aspirations of the Palestinian people is about more than a seat, a voice and a vote in the councils of the world,' Albanese continued.
'It is about real hope for a place to call home.'
Albanese also urged the Israeli government to 'accept its share of responsibility' for the 'humanitarian catastrophe' in Gaza, where tens of thousands of civilians have been killed and denied vital aid.
'This comes alongside the continued illegal expansion of settlements on the West Bank and an increase in settler violence, threats to annex parts of Palestine and permanently displace the Palestinian people,' he said.
Albanese also expressed his hopes for a better future for children in Gaza.
'That future depends on recognition being followed by reconstruction and reform, a credible, cooperative peace plan supporting recovery in Gaza and security for Israel, establishing governance and excluding Hamas on the day after and every day after that,' he said.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese caught up with his Canadian counterpart Mark Carney at the United Nations General Assembly
Anthony Albanese was joined by Foreign Minister Penny Wong at the UN General Assembly
'This is the next step we must take, and we must take it together.'
Albanese's address came shortly after the White House slammed recognition of a Palestinian state as 'more talk and not enough action from some of our allies'.
The Australian PM has since sat down with French president Emmanuel Macron on the sidelines of the UN conference, where the Middle East conflict was high on the agenda.
Albanese has again failed to secure a face-to-face meeting with US President Donald Trump.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt detailed Trump's tightly packed 24-hour schedule in New York, which makes no mention of the Australian Prime Minister.
