After President Donald Trump proposed a U.S takeover of the Gaza Strip, Australia’s prime minister stated Wednesday that the country’s support for a two-state solution in the Middle East “remains the same”.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he would not provide a “daily commentary” on Trump’s words after the president disclosed a plan for a US control of Gaza, the relocation of Palestinian population elsewhere, and the rebuilding of the war-torn territory.
Australia’s position “remains the same”, Albanese told reporters.
“We have had a long-standing bipartisan position for a two-state solution,” he said, referring to the creation of a Palestinian state alongside Israel with both peoples living in “peace and security”.
“We have not received any request regarding the rebuilding of Gaza,” the prime minister added.
“What we have said, though, clearly we’ve supported a ceasefire. We’ve supported hostages being released. And we’ve supported aid getting into Gaza.”
Australian governments under different political parties had backed the creation of two states — “not just one” — for decades, Albanese said.
“Australia’s position is the same as it was this morning, as it was last year, and it was 10 years ago,” he said.
“That remains my position and it has been a bipartisan position up to this point,” he added.
