The Australian Labor Party has strongly condemned Hamas for what it describes as an attempt to "manipulate facts" after the militant group publicly welcomed Canberra's decision to recognise Palestinian statehood.
Government officials were quick to distance themselves from Hamas's endorsement, emphasising that Australia's policy remains focused on supporting a two-state solution through peaceful negotiations.
Diplomatic tensions rise
Foreign Minister Penny Wong reiterated that Australia's recognition of Palestine was not an endorsement of Hamas, stating: "Our position on Hamas remains clear - we regard it as a terrorist organisation. This recognition is about supporting the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people."
The controversy emerged after Hamas issued a statement praising Australia's move as "a step in the right direction" and calling on other nations to follow suit.
Political fallout
Opposition leader Peter Dutton seized on the development, accusing the government of "emboldening terrorists" through its diplomatic actions. "This is exactly why we warned against premature recognition," Dutton told reporters.
Political analysts suggest the incident highlights the delicate balancing act required in Middle East diplomacy, where actions intended to support peace processes can be co-opted by militant groups for propaganda purposes.
What happens next?
The Australian government faces mounting pressure to clarify its position amid concerns that Hamas's endorsement could complicate future peace negotiations. Officials maintain that recognition was timed to encourage renewed dialogue between Israeli and Palestinian leaders.
Meanwhile, security experts warn that Hamas may attempt to leverage Australia's decision in its ongoing information war against Israel.
