Australia has been urged to support a Palestinian bid for United Nations membership as Israel acts against the wishes of its allies and invades Gaza’s last haven.
Palestinian envoy in Australia Izzat Abdulhadi has called for Australia to vote for a non-binding motion at the United Nations General Assembly on Friday.
The draft resolution would call on the UN Security Council to reconsider elevating Palestine from a non-member observer state to full UN membership.
“It would give credibility to Australia and hope to the Palestinian people,” Mr Abdulhadi told AAP.
Australia’s vote would follow like-minded partners Japan and South Korea, which voted in favour of a similar UN Security Council motion that was defeated due to a US veto, he said.
Canberra’s support would also align with the federal government’s policy to eventually recognise a Palestinian state, Mr Abdulhadi said.
“The draft resolution is very acceptable and I urge Australia to vote on it,” he said.
Mr Abdulhadi conceded Australia was more likely to abstain.
Israel has condemned any unilateral push to recognise Palestinian statehood before a negotiated two-state solution, in which an Israeli and Palestinian state would exist side-by-side.
The international community, including nations such as Australia and the US, is assessing potential options of recognition to ensure a pathway to a two-state solution.
Opponents have argued that any recognition of a Palestinian state or elevation of its status in the UN before Hamas is eradicated would be seen as reward for attacking Israel.
Hamas – designated a terrorist group by the Australian government – launched an attack on Israel on October 7 that killed 1200 people and led another 200 to be taken hostage, according to Israeli tallies.
Israel has since launched a ground offensive and bombing campaign in Gaza that has killed almost 35,000 people and injured about 77,000 more, according to the local health ministry.
Mr Abdulhadi has also called for a further $25 million in humanitarian aid for Gaza after Israel pressed ahead with a ground invasion of the strip’s last refuge, Rafah, where one million Palestinians are sheltering.
Tel Aviv’s forces seized the Rafah border crossing on Tuesday and cut off a vital aid route and one of the only exits out of the besieged territory.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has expressed concern about the civilian population in Rafah, pointing out it was not clear where they should seek shelter given the destruction that had occurred in the rest of Gaza.
At least 1.7 million people in Gaza have been displaced and the majority are starving, according to the UN.
The Greens have urged Mr Albanese to expel Israel’s ambassador.
“Australia must send the signal that having zero regard for civilian lives and international law has consequences,” Greens leader Adam Bandt said.
The government has previously resisted calls to expel ambassadors, saying it was better to maintain dialogue and open lines of communication.
