‘The world cannot wait’: Penny Wong pushes for UN to set timeline on declaration of Palestinian state

Foreign Minister Penny Wong has urged the UN to set a timeline for the international declaration of a Palestinian state, urging nations that the world “cannot wait”.

Addressing the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Ms Wong said it was time for the “cycle of conflict” to be broken amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip, reiterating the “frustration” 77 years since the General Assembly adopted a resolution for the establishment of a Jewish and Palestinian state side-by-side.

She also repeated Australia’s call - one jointly held with 152 other countries - for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip amid the heightened state of conflict between Russia and Ukraine, Sudan and the new offensive in Lebanon.

Senator Wong said Lebanon “could not become the next Gaza”

“77 years later, that Palestinian state still does not exist – long held out as the promise at the end of a peace process that has ground to a halt,” Senator Wong told the UN.

“The world cannot wait. We must all contribute new ways to break the cycle of conflict.”

Senator Wong said Australia wants to engage on new ways to build “momentum” in bringing Resolution 181 - the establishment of Arab and Jewish states in Palestine - to fruition, including the role of the Security Council in setting a pathway and “clear timeline” for the dual states.

“A two-state solution is the only hope of breaking the endless cycle of violence – the only hope to see a secure and prosperous future for both peoples,” she said.

“To give the Palestinian people the opportunity to realise their aspirations through self-determination... (and) to strengthen the forces for peace across the region and undermine extremism.”

Senator Wong tempered her suggestion by stating Hamas did not want such a solution.

“There can be no role for terrorists. And it will need a reformed Palestinian Authority,” she said.

“Right now, the suffering across the region must end. Hostages must be released. Aid must flow.”

At least 41,534 people have been killed and another 96,092 wounded since Israel’s war on Gaza began in October last year, according to the state’s health ministry.

Of the dead, more than 11,000 are children.

The renewed conflict was launched in response to devastating attacks on Israel by Hamas on October 7, 2023 - where over 1200 people were killed and hundreds more were taken hostage into Palestine.

Senator Wong said nearly two million Gazans have been displaced since the start of the conflict, facing food and water shortages.

“This must end,” she told the UN.

“Palestinian civilians cannot be made to pay the price of defeating Hamas. All lives have equal value.

“Israel must comply with the binding orders of the International Court of Justice, including to enable the provision of basic services and humanitarian assistance at scale.”

The conflict has also deepened in Lebanon, with Israeli strikes intensifying over the week against Hezbollah targets.

Israel conducted its biggest military strike on Beirut in years in an effort to kill the head of Hezbollah Hassan Nasrallah.

At least six people have been killed and 91 wounded, Lebanon’s health ministry has said.

During her address, Senator Wong also touched on the death of aid worker Zomi Frankcom and her World Kitchen colleagues, who were killed in an Israel Defence Force (IDF) strike in April.

Earlier this week, Australia pushed for a new declaration for the protection of humanitarian personnel.

The IDF had dismissed two others and reprimanded three others over the death of Ms Frankcom and her colleagues.

Senator Wong said the new declaration would be developed over the coming months and “demonstrate the unity of the international community’s commitment to protect aid workers and to channel that commitment into action in Gaza, in Sudan, in Ukraine and in all current and future conflicts.”

“This was not a one-off incident. More than 300 aid workers have been killed since the start of this conflict,” she said.