The federal government has condemned Hamas for seeking to “manipulate facts for their own propaganda” after the terrorist group reportedly welcomed Australia’s decision to recognise a Palestinian state. Anthony Albanese announced on Monday that Australia would recognise Palestine at the United Nations next month, joining more than 140 countries.
The prime minister has said Hamas “will be excluded from the process” of a future Palestinian state and justified the recognition by stating Hamas opposes a two-state solution. He also set pre-conditions for recognition, including demilitarisation and no governance role for Hamas.
Nine newspapers reported that Hamas co-founder Sheikh Hassan Yousef praised Australia’s “political courage” and called on other countries to follow suit, while rejecting calls to demilitarise or exclude Hamas from future elections. A government spokesperson urged caution, stating that Hamas tries to manipulate facts and media should not promote terrorist propaganda.
The shadow foreign minister, Michaelia Cash, accused the government of handing Hamas a “massive propaganda victory”. She said Albanese should “hang his head in shame” after being praised by the terrorist group. Opposition leader Sussan Ley pledged a future Coalition government would revoke recognition of a Palestinian state.
Professor Greg Barton of Deakin University told Sky News that recognition of Palestine is “completely decoupled from any support for Hamas”. Albanese reiterated on Wednesday that Hamas has no role, and the Arab League has made clear Hamas must lay down its weapons.
Professor Shahram Akbarzadeh noted that Australian pre-conditions raise challenges, particularly how to deal with Hamas. The prime minister said the international community could block Hamas from future governance roles but did not explain how.
