Sydney, 21 September 2025 (dpa/MIA) - Australia has formally recognized Palestine as a sovereign state, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Sunday, joining the United Kingdom and Canada in taking the historic decision.

"Australia recognizes the legitimate and long-held aspirations of the people of Palestine to a state of their own," Albanese said in a joint statement with Foreign Minister Penny Wong.

"Today's act of recognition reflects Australia's longstanding commitment to a two-state solution, which has always been the only path to enduring peace and security for the Israeli and the Palestinian people."

The statement noted that the Palestinian Authority's has recognized Israel's right to exist and stated that the "terrorist organization Hamas must have no role in Palestine."

Photo: MIA archive