Anthony Albanese accuses Israel of breaching international law, rules out recognising Palestinian state

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has accused Israel of breaching international law by restricting aid to Gaza but says Australia will not follow France’s lead in recognising a Palestinian state.

Mr Albanese has warned Israel it is losing international support due to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and reiterated his government’s consistent call for a ceasefire.

“Quite clearly, it is a breach of international law to stop food being delivered, which was the decision that Israel made in March,” the PM told the ABC on Sunday.

When asked to clarify his stance on whether international law had been breached, the Prime Minister said, “I’m not a lawyer,” but added, “It’s a breach… (a) breach of decent humanity and of morality, and everyone can see that”.

“Quite clearly, international law says that you can’t hold innocent people responsible for what is a conflict.

“They need to recognise the need to operate within international law.”

Mr Albanese also ruled out following French President Emmanuel Macron in recognising a Palestinian state at the UN in September, saying Australia will only do so when conditions are right.

He insisted Hamas must not play a role in any future Palestinian government after their abhorrent actions starting the “atrocities” and continuing to hold hostages.

“We won’t (make) any decision as a gesture. We will do it as a way forward, if the circumstances are met,” he said.

“How do you exclude Hamas from any involvement there?

“How do you ensure that a Palestinian State operates in an appropriate way which does not threaten the existence of Israel?

“Hamas’ actions on October 7 is where the current atrocities began, and Hamas can have no role in future state. Hamas is a terrorist organisation who I find, their actions are abhorrent.”

“My government has been very consistent in calling for a ceasefire.

“We’ve been consistent in calling out the terrorists in Hamas and saying that the hostages should be released.”

Shadow Foreign Affairs Minister Senator Michaelia Cash accused Mr Albanese of failing to place proper blame for the war in Gaza on Hamas in his official statement released on Friday.

She said the conflict could end immediately if the terrorist group released hostages and laid down arms.

“I think the unfortunate reality for Mr Albanese is he continues to fail to lay the blame for the ongoing war in Gaza directly at the feet of the terrorists who commenced it,” she told Sky News on Sunday.