2025-09-22
Today at the UN General Assembly, Australia finally joined the vast majority of the world in recognising a Palestinian state.
This step is a victory for the hundreds of thousands of Australians who have been pressuring the Government, but it will not end the genocide in Gaza. The Albanese Government must now sanction Israel for its criminal actions the same way it has sanctioned Russia for its criminal invasion of Ukraine.
The UN and a consensus of genocide scholars have all made it clear that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza. Far from doing everything in its power to prevent the genocide, the Albanese Government has continued to engage in a two-way arms trade with Israel and failed to sanction the extremist Netanyahu Security Cabinet.
Senator David Shoebridge, Greens spokesperson on Foreign Affairs, said
“Statehood and the right to self-determination are fundamental rights of all people. Recognising this right of Palestinians is long overdue.
“In making this decision, Australia has gone from an international outlier with the United States and a handful of its client states, to the international mainstream. Recognising Palestine is complying with basic international principles, but it is not enough in the face of a genocide.
“It is no longer, and has never been, a choice between recognition and sanctions. There is an urgent legal and moral obligation now on the Albanese Government to do everything possible to end the genocide in Gaza.
"Today’s actions will not end the genocide, it will not stop the starvation or the occupation, material action is needed.
"It’s a brutal fact of this appalling genocide that Israeli F-35 fighter jets are being used in Gaza, and they can only operate with Australian-made parts.
“Whatever today’s votes, Australia is still purchasing billions in Israeli-made weapons, which have been tested on Palestinians in Gaza. This two-way arms trade must end and comprehensive sanctions need to be put on the Israeli Government.
“The Albanese Government should be using this time at the United Nations to work with other countries to build a global sanctions regime and work together to ensure there is a lasting and just peace.”