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Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Senator Penny Wong has called for the world to “preserve the possibility of a Palestinian state” to support a two-state solution in the Middle East.
Senator Wong made the comments during a television interview on ABC 7.30 on 4 August, following the recent announcement that Australia would commit an additional $20 million in aid to support organisations delivering food, medical supplies for field hospitals and other support to women and children in Gaza.
“Israel has a, has a right to security. And I would argue that the only pathway, long-term, to peace and security is two states. That means a ceasefire, release of hostages and aid to flow and progress towards a two-state solution,” Minister Wong said.
“We have sanctioned extremist settlers … because we want to do what we can to preserve the possibility of a Palestinian state … Australia believes that is the only way to assure peace and security for Israelis and for Palestinians.
“There is a lot of coordination and discussion with other parties in other countries, and I think we all recognise, this might be, I think someone said, our last hope, I hope that’s not the case, but we cannot, we cannot stand by with what is happening in Gaza and not add momentum towards two states.
“We cannot stand by whilst the prospect of a Palestinian state is diminished on the ground by settlements and other statements, we have to find a way to push for and press for two states.
“As I keep saying, I cannot see long-term stability and peace for Israelis and Palestinians unless the Palestinian issue is resolved, the issue of the Palestinian state, that was the promise that the international community made when we established, as a collective, the State of Israel.”
The Australian government has now committed more than $130 million in humanitarian assistance to help civilians in Gaza and Lebanon since 7 October 2023.
The Australian government’s new package of support includes $2 million for relief support with the UK, $6 million to the UN World Food Program for the provision and distribution of food supplies, $5 million to UNICEF for nutritional support to children at risk of starvation, $5 million to the International Committee of the Red Cross to meet essential needs (including access to healthcare) and $2 million to the Jordan Hashemite Charity Organization, expanding cooperation with the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan to provide medical supplies to support the operation of field hospitals in Gaza.
“We’re working with partners to deliver immediate and sustained life-saving assistance to the people of Gaza. They must be allowed to do their vital work and deliver aid at scale,” International Development Minister Dr Anne Aly said.
“Australia’s additional funding will bolster international efforts to address urgent needs in Gaza. It will provide urgently needed food and healthcare.
“We continue to call on Israel to allow immediate and unimpeded aid access into Gaza.”
