The Coalition has accused Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of being “shamed” by Hamas after the militant group reportedly praised his decision to recognise a Palestinian state. It's Hamas’s October 7 attack on Israel that triggered the current war in Gaza. According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Hamas applauded the Albanese government’s recognition of Palestinian statehood and commended the prime minister’s “courage.” Shadow Foreign Minister Michaelia Cash said the decision had emboldened the group. “All Australians should be appalled at the massive propaganda victory Mr Albanese has handed

The Coalition has accused Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of being “shamed” by Hamas after the militant group reportedly praised his decision to recognise a Palestinian state. It's Hamas’s October 7 attack on Israel that triggered the current war in Gaza. According to the

Sydney Morning Herald,

Hamas applauded the Albanese government’s recognition of Palestinian statehood and commended the prime minister’s “courage.” Shadow Foreign Minister Michaelia Cash said the decision had emboldened the group. “All Australians should be appalled at the massive propaganda victory Mr Albanese has handed Hamas on a platter,” Senator Cash said in a statement. “When terrorists are cheering Australia’s foreign policy it is clear proof it is wrong. Mr Albanese should explain whether he’ll still pursue recognition knowing it has the clear endorsement of terrorists.”

Shadow Foreign Minister Michaelia Cash says the move to recognise a Palestinian state has emboldened Hamas. (AAP: Mick Tsikas via ABC)

The Coalition has vowed to revoke Palestinian recognition if it wins the next federal election.

Also Read: Australian opposition would revoke Palestine recognition if elected, says opposition leader

On Tuesday, Mr Albanese argued that Hamas would in fact oppose the move, as the group would be excluded from any role in a future Palestinian government. He said the recognition, set to be formalised at September’s United Nations General Assembly, would involve cooperation with the Palestinian Authority to restore democratic elections in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. “The Arab League, the countries around the region, as well as the international community have made it very clear Hamas has no role,” Mr Albanese said. The government has rejected Israeli claims that the recognition amounts to a “reward” for Hamas. In comments reported by the

Sydney Morning Herald,

senior Hamas official Sheikh Hassan Yousef called Australia’s recognition “an important step” towards the group’s objectives. “We welcome Australia’s decision to recognise the state of Palestine, and consider it an important step towards achieving justice for our people and securing their legitimate rights,” he said. “This position reflects political courage and a commitment to the values of justice and the right of peoples to self-determination.” Hamas has vowed not to surrender in Gaza until Palestine is recognised. Speaking on

ABC’s

Afternoon Briefing, Labor frontbencher Amanda Rishworth said it was unsurprising that Hamas would seek to exploit the announcement for propaganda purposes. “Hamas will use whatever they can to promote propaganda,” Ms Rishworth said. “To be very clear, the work that has been agreed to is that Hamas will not have a role in the future [of] Palestine.” The decision marks a break from Australia’s longstanding bipartisan position of recognising Palestine only after a negotiated two-state solution, a shift that has drawn fury from the opposition.

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