Protests have consequences. Allowing a mob to strut across the Sydney Harbour Bridge was all the encouragement needed for Labor to not only hand another $20 million in taxpayer money to ‘Palestine’, but also pledge to formally recognise Palestine at the United Nations General Assembly in September.

How quickly we forget that ‘gas the Jews’ was chanted on the steps of the Opera House less than 48 hours after the October 7 terror attack perpetrated by Hamas and Palestinian civilians. A few years later we have the political class standing by as, ‘Globalise the Intifada!’ is chanted on the bridge above the harbour within sight of that same Opera House.

It is predictably foul.

This is Hamas, let us remember, which hands machine guns to children and straps suicide vests to toddlers. The Hamas that ‘pays to slay’ where mothers weep in joy when their children die murdering Jews and infidels. Palestine, where ‘death to America’ is chanted and where a Western woman would be murdered for walking down the street.

‘Free Palestine!’

To do what? That is the question.

What does a free Palestine do when the walls come down, the UN cheers, and the do-gooders of the world congratulate themselves?

What do children raised from birth to murder in the name of reaching paradise do with freedom?

Can the mind escape a death cult after the preachers are removed from power?

Our politicians are guilty of applying Western thought to a religious war where the Palestinians have voted for and been raised on the dream of genocide. No Australian Prime Minister, Albanese included, has been able to explain how a two-state solution can work when Hamas supporters refuse to recognise Jews as people, let alone Israel as a state.

And by allowing this conversation to play out on the streets of Australia, mostly for the benefit of left-wing domestic politics, what has happened to our peaceful country?

We have become a billboard for antisemitism where the narrative of Jew-hatred has spread through social media like a plague, infesting both sides of politics. Genuine grievances ignored by government have been weaponised into utter ideological filth with ‘starving children in Palestine’ used as the touchpaper that ignites their shared cause.

If you are not concerned, you should be.

The Left want to see politics become a cesspit of identity and religion, while the self-described online Nazis wish to infiltrate and subvert the Right, normalising their presence as the speakers of truth and home of the disaffected men (ostracised by endless chants of toxic masculinity and the demonisation of history). You may not have seen it yet, but you will, and if they are allowed to own the conservative talking points, the government will use their association as an excuse to outlaw opposition.

What better way to change the Australian flag, for instance, than allowing it to become associated with Nazi marches? From national pride to national socialism in a few self-serving headlines. It is coming.

We, as conservatives, are sleepwalking into this future either through fear or ambivalence.

As for Palestine, the pathway to peace was never through bloodshed, it was through proving it could be a peaceful, prosperous neighbour. That is how walls come down. Its leadership tore up agricultural infrastructure and built tunnels instead.

In any case, the Prime Minister, who must have seen the rise in support for Palestine among Labor-held seats, released a press statement which says:

Australia will recognise the State of Palestine at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in September, to contribute to international momentum towards a two-state solution, a ceasefire in Gaza, and release of the hostages.

Since 1947, Australia has supported Israel’s existence. In that year, Australia’s Foreign Minister Evatt chaired the UN committee that recommended the creation of two states side by side.

Then, as now, the international community understood a two-state solution was the basis of peace and security for the peoples of the region.

Australia was the first country to raise its hand at the United Nations in support of Resolution 181, to create the State of Israel, and a Palestinian state.

More than 77 years later, the world can no longer wait for the implementation of that Resolution to be negotiated between the parties.

Australia’s decision helps build the historic global momentum to break the cycle of violence in the Middle East.

The Netanyahu government is extinguishing the prospect of a two-state solution by rapidly expanding illegal settlements, threatening annexation in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, and explicitly opposing any Palestinian state.

The internal community is moving to establish a Palestinian state consistent with a two-state solution.

In doing so, the world is seizing the opportunity of major new commitments from the Palestinian Authority, including to reform governance, terminate prisoner payments, institute schooling reform, demilitarise and hold general elections. The Palestinian Authority has also restated its recognition of Israel’s right to exist. The President of the Palestinian Authority has reaffirmed these commitments directly to the Australian government.

Australia’s position is predicated on the commitments we have received from the Palestinian Authority. We will continue to work with the international community to hold the Palestinian Authority to its commitments and to encourage normalised relations between Israel and its neighbours.

The commitments by the Palestinian Authority are strengthened by the Arab League’s unprecedented demand for the terrorist organisation Hamas to end its rule in Gaza and hand over its weapons.

Together these factors mean that this is the best opportunity Australia may ever have to support moderate voices for peace in the region, to undermine extremism and to further isolate Hamas. This is the moment to which Australia and so many countries are seeking to add momentum.

Hamas continues to damage the prospects of a two-state solution and rejects Israel’s right to exist. Hamas must release the hostages cruelly taken on October, 2003, immediately, unconditionally and with dignity. The Australian government has consistently made clear there can be no role for Hamas in a Palestinian state.

Australia is further compelled by the Netanyahu government’s disregard of the international community’s calls, and its failure to comply with its legal and ethical obligations in Gaza. Israel is required to protect civilians and ensure the provision of food and medical supplies. Permanent forced displacement of civilians is illegal.

Palestinian children deserve a future that looks nothing like their reality today.

There is much more work to do in building the Palestinian state. We will work with partners on a credible peace plan that establishes governance and security arrangements for Palestine and ensures the security of Israel.

Australia will continue to be a constructive partner in support of a two-state solution, as the only pathway to a secure and prosperous future that respects aspirations of Israelis and Palestinians alike.

It is a decision that our Editor-in-Chief, Rowan Dean, called ‘shameful’ on X this afternoon.

Former Prime Minister Tony Abbott wrote:

‘Recognition of Palestine should be a reward for good behaviour, not bad. Recognising Palestine with Hamas still armed, still holding hostages, still largely running Gaza and withholding aid, and still pledged to the destruction of Israel is unconscionable. By all means suggest alternatives to the Israeli government’s approach, but handing a propaganda victory to terrorism is just wrong.’

Leader of the Opposition, Sussan Ley, released a long media statement on behalf of the party:

The Coalition has serious concerns about the Albanese government’s decision to unilaterally recognise a Palestinian state outside of a proper peace and two-state process.

This decision, at this time, puts Australia at odds with the United States of America, our most important ally, and the most consequential player in the conflict in Gaza.

The United States will have an essential role to play in brokering a viable peace process and establishing a sustainable Palestinian state. It is critical to note that the US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said that decisions to recognise a Palestinian state ahead of a proper peace process scuttled ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas.

Until today it has been a bipartisan position that the question of recognising Palestinian statehood should come at the end of the peace negotiation process, not at the start or during it.

Until today it was a bipartisan position that there should be no recognition of a Palestinian state with Hamas still in control of Gaza.

Despite his words today the reality is Anthony Albanese has committed Australia to recognising Palestine while hostages remain in tunnels under Gaza and with Hamas still in control of the population of Gaza. Nothing he has said today changes that fact.

Recognising a Palestinian state prior to a return of the hostages and defeat of Hamas, as the government has today, risks delivering Hamas one of its strategic objections of the horrific terrorism of October 7.

Australians all want the war in Gaza to end. Ending this war is the only way to save lives and safeguard a two-state solution. The clear advice of our most important ally is this decision will not expediate that outcome.

As it stands today the decision by the Albanese government does not appear to make the world a safer place, expediate the end of the conflict, deliver a two-state solution, see the free flow of aid, support the release of hostages or put an end to the terrorist group Hamas.

Senator Michaelia Cash has written several comments on X today:

‘The decision by the Albanese government to recognise a Palestinian state does not make the world a safer place, expediate the end of the conflict, deliver a two-state solution, see the free flow of aid, support the release of hostages, or put an end to the terrorist group Hamas. Mr Albanese must explain how recognising a Palestinian state does not risk rewarding and empowering terrorists.’

‘…he has effectively delivered Hamas one of its strategic objectives of the horrific terrorism that the world witnessed on 7 October 2023.’

‘Mr Albanese, you don’t achieve peace by rewarding terrorists.’

‘How does Mr Albanese intend for the Palestinian Authority to guarantee there will be no future role for the terrorist organisation Hamas given that at their last elections 19 years ago they delivered a Hamas majority?’

Former Foreign Minister and former NSW Premier, Bob Carr, who was present on the Sydney Harbour Bridge and addressed comments about the poster of Iran’s Khamenei in photographs by saying, ‘I can’t understand how such an individual would hold his portrait at such a peaceful and positive demonstration’, said of the announcement:

‘At last. Congratulations to the PM Albanese and FM Senator Wong. I’ve advocated it since State ALP conference of 2014. A welcome defeat for pro-settler hardliners who run Israel/Jewish lobby in this country and unreservedly supported Coalition in last election.’

He added: ‘Our recognition a deserved rebuke to IDF’s unfolding genocide in Gaza. A message of solidarity to wretched Palestinian civilians being deprived of food, water, and medicine. Next step: sanction Netanyahu.’

Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price wrote on X:

The Albanese government’s decision to recognise Palestinian statehood is impulsive, irrational, and ill-timed.

Hamas’ barbarism on October 7, 2023, single-handedly set back the goal of a two-state solution.

The leaders of Hamas said they would repeat similar attacks until Israel is exterminated.

Until Hamas is defeated, a two-state solution isn’t even conceivable and there can be no peaceful future for the people of Gaza.

Let’s also not forget historical facts:

In 2005, Israel withdrew entirely from the Gaza Strip, handing it over to the Palestinian Authority and had to relocate Jewish families in the process.

In 2006, Hamas was elected to power.

In 2007, Hamas seized control of Gaza.

For the next 16 years, Hamas squandered the opportunity to support the Palestinian people and work towards a two-state solution. Gaza could have become the Singapore of the Middle East.

Instead, Hamas used billions in international aid to amass weapons and build a vast underground tunnel network to wage terrorism against Israel and the Jewish people.

If the Albanese government truly believes in a better life for Palestinians and a two-state solution, it would lend its full support to Israel’s military response to rid the world of a death cult.

But in moving to prematurely recognise Palestinian statehood, the Albanese government has endorsed Hamas’ use of terrorism to achieve political ends.

And all this while Hamas continues to hold hostages.

This Labor government has lost its moral compass. And its disgraceful decision today shows, yet again, how it is willing to use foreign policy to grandstand to a domestic political audience.

Australia should stand firmly with Israel, tighten sanctions on Iran and its proxies, and make it clear that Palestinian statehood will only be considered when Hamas is dismantled and the Palestinian leadership recognises Israel’s right to exist.

Liberal Tim Wilson said:

‘Our government made a choice today: it will not lead to peace, nor the release of hostages. The Albanese government has backed a Palestinian state without requiring a recognition of Israel’s right to exist, not its safety and security, not the release of hostages.’

Greens Senator David Shoebridge wrote:

‘Recognition of Palestine should have happened decades ago and is a fundamental right that the Australian government has denied for too long. Now we need action: Australia must sanction Israel and end the two-way arms trade. Recognition won’t feed starving kids or stop the bombs … we could cut off material that fuels the genocide, so why aren’t we … millions of Australians have taken to the streets to demand action, including 300,000 in Sydney alone. Today’s announcement shows that our pressure is working. Keep showing up. Keep demanding sanctions and an end to the arms trade with Israel. In the face of a genocide, the moral and legal test is, are you doing everything you can to stop it? Today’s announcement by Labor fails that test.’

Teal MP Monique Ryan said:

‘Constituents are asking for my position on today’s announcement by the Albanese government that it will recognise Palestinian statehood next month. Here’s where I stand:

‘The international community’s vision for a lasting peace for Israel and Palestine has always encompassed two independent states. Recognition of Palestinian statehood is a step on that path.

‘We must do everything possible to end the conflict in Gaza, deliver aid, and return hostages home.

‘The Australian government should use all diplomatic tools available to it – including targeted sanctions, an end to all arms trades with combatants, and increased humanitarian assistance – to contribute to the peace process in the region.’

Senator Fatima Payman was, of course, ‘absolutely thrilled’, telling the press, ‘It feels so amazing to have joined every single Australian who put pressure on the government and wanted them to do what’s right by the Palestinian people to be on the right side of history.’

And One Nation Leader, Senator Pauline Hanson, has written:

All states must pledge to guarantee the security of Israel, and the occupied territories must be completely cleansed of any terrorist influence or presence, before Australia can recognise a Palestinian state.

One Nation Leader Senator Pauline Hanson said One Nation would not support the Albanese Labor government’s surrender to terrorist extremism in its plan to recognise a Palestinian state.

‘This plays directly into the hands of terrorists like Hamas and their backers, the oppressive and regressive Iranian regime,’ Senator Hanson said. ‘The Albanese government is doing exactly what terrorists want it to do instead of standing with our allies and supporting democracy.’

‘I am also disgusted and appalled the Prime Minister would do this without first requiring the release of Hamas’ remaining hostages, who have been captives of these maniacs for 674 days now.

‘There can be no legitimate Palestinian state unless that state, and the rest of the world, pledges to guarantee the integrity and security of Israel and unless that state is completely free of any influence from Iranian-backed terrorist groups like Hamas (which still controls much of Gaza).

‘Labor can’t even guarantee the rights and safety of Jewish Australians in our own country, and I am very concerned this move will only embolden further attacks in Australia and embolden the depravity of Hamas and Hezbollah in the Middle East.

‘You don’t stop terrorists by giving them what they want; you stop terrorists by always denying what they want. Labor’s extremist left faction obviously has a firm grip on the Prime Minister’s spine with this graven surrender.

‘One Nation calls on the Coalition – if and when it eventually forms government in the future – to reverse this move and withdraw Australia’s recognition of a Palestinian state. It will certainly be One Nation’s policy going forward.’

And finally, Senator Matt Canavan wrote:

‘The priorities of the current AUSTRALIAN government are to deliver Middle East peace and change the temperature of the globe. Lucky there are no problems in our country!’