Sydney –

Foreign Minister Anthony Wong this week said Australia could consider recognizing a Palestinian state under high conditions, sparking a heated political debate.

The possible shift in Australian policy comes as other countries seek a two-state solution to end the war in Gaza.

Huang said the international community is discussing the establishment of an independent Palestinian state “as a way to build momentum for a two-state solution.”

She said Australia expected a ceasefire in the Gaza war, the return of Israeli hostages held by Hamas and the exclusion of Hamas from a future Palestinian government as prerequisites for recognition.

Speaking at the Australian National University on Tuesday, Huang said a two-state solution would promote peace.

“Recognizing a Palestinian state that can only coexist with a secure Israel not only provides the Palestinian people with the opportunity to realize their aspirations, but also strengthens the forces of peace and weakens extremism,” she said. explain. “So, I say to you, a two-state solution is the only hope to break the endless cycle of violence.”

Australia’s conservative opposition accused Huang of causing “irreparable damage” to Australia’s relationship with Israel by raising the possibility of recognizing Palestinian statehood.

Shadow foreign secretary Simon Birmingham told local media the plan was wrong.

He said: “What Wong seems to be implying is some kind of quick or preemptive recognition of Palestinian statehood, and the current approach is completely wrong.”

The two-state solution has long been central to resolving decades-old conflicts in the Middle East, but the process has stalled for years.

Britain has said it could recognize a Palestinian state before reaching any deal with Israel on the issue without waiting for the outcome of negotiations that could last years.

Nasser Mashni of the Australia-Palestine Advocacy Network told the ABC Australia should also support the plan.

“Now is the time for us to do so unilaterally, and together with 139 other like-minded countries, to empower and agree that the Palestinians deserve the right to self-determination,” he said.

A major obstacle to a Palestinian state is deciding its borders and governance. Both sides claim Jerusalem as their capital. Furthermore, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu strongly rejects the idea of ​​an independent Palestinian state.