French President Emmanuel Macron’s call to “harden our collective stance” on Israel, particularly if the humanitarian crisis in Gaza persists, carries significant implications for Australia’s Middle East policy. As Macron leads an international push for Palestinian statehood recognition, Australia finds itself under increasing pressure to join this movement ahead of a UN-backed summit.
The upcoming summit in New York, co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia, from June 17 to 20, is generating considerable buzz, with speculation that France may use the platform to formally recognize Palestine, thereby attempting to accelerate the stalled peace process. While 147 of the 193 UN member states already recognize Palestine, Australia, the UK, and the US have not. However, recent statements from Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong signal a departure from the traditional stance, suggesting that early recognition could be a catalyst for momentum.
The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs outlined its four key priorities for the summit, confirming ongoing discussions with Australia: recognition of a state of Palestine, normalization of regional relations, reform of the Palestinian Authority, and disarmament of Hamas. A French spokesperson emphasized Macron’s vision of this recognition contributing to a broader political dynamic, fostering both Palestinian state establishment and Israel’s enhanced regional and international integration, and specifically noted Australia’s “strong affinities” for the issue.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s recent strong condemnation of Israel’s blockade of aid into Gaza as an “outrage” further underscores a potential policy recalibration, aligning with international humanitarian concerns. This contrasts sharply with the Australian opposition’s view, which insists that Palestinian statehood can only be recognized once Hamas releases all hostages and surrenders its terrorist capabilities, warning against “rewarding terrorism.”
