Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has welcomed news of a ceasefire between Israel and Palestine, calling it a long-awaited step towards peace and coexistence after months of violence and tragedy in the region.
Speaking on Weekend Sunrise, the Prime Minister said his first reaction to the peace deal was one of relief. “Oh, thank goodness,” Albanese said.
“I think people who’ve watched the horror that’s unfolded after, firstly, Hamas’s terrorist actions on 7 October that saw the worst loss of Jewish life since the Holocaust and were horrified that that could occur, and then watching the unfolding tragedy and devastation of Gaza with the enormous loss of innocent life, just wanted to see ceasefire, just wanted to see it end.”
He reiterated Australia’s long-standing support for a two-state solution, with Israel and Palestine living “side by side in peace and security.”
“We have called for a long time for the ceasefire to occur. Hostages to be released, aid to get to the people who really need it there in Gaza, Hamas to disarm and play no role. And of course, the long term solution, which is two states, Israel and Palestine, side by side, people living in peace and security.”
While acknowledging that Australia is “not a big player in the Middle East,” the Prime Minister said the country would continue to support diplomatic efforts and work with international partners to ensure the peace process holds.
Albanese credited the United States and President Donald Trump for playing a decisive role in brokering the ceasefire.
“But what it has needed, and we’ve said this for some time, is of course US leadership. President Trump has provided that. And that’s provided the breakthrough. I think his comments where he said to Prime Minister Netanyahu, ‘you can’t fight the world, Bibi.’ People were saying throughout the world, countries including Australia, enough is enough.”
The Prime Minister also spoke about the impact of the conflict on Australia’s multicultural communities, urging respect and restraint amid heightened tensions.
“We live in the best country on earth and one of the things that makes this the best country in my view, and I’m so proud of the fact that people can live in local communities like my local hood in Marrickville, people of Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Greek Orthodox, whatever faith, or no faith, and just respect each other. And that is what we need to do, come together, see a healing.”
Looking ahead, Albanese said there was cause for cautious optimism, pointing to growing global consensus.
“People know what the solution is and they’ve known for some time what it looks like. It is Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state being recognised by all of the Arab states around it. The statement by the Arab League in June was I think a critical point in time here.”
The Prime Minister confirmed he would take a week’s leave before travelling to Washington, D.C., next Sunday for his first official visit to the White House since President Trump’s return to office.
“I’ve had a very warm invitation to the White House. I am very much looking forward to it. The United States is our most important relationship. And when we sit down together, we can resume the face-to-face discussion that we had in New York and the warm discussions that we’ve had since President Trump returned to the presidency.”
Albanese signed off sayin Australia and the United States share strong defence, security, and economic ties, with opportunities to expand cooperation on critical minerals — but he also plans to take a short break before his US visit.
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