Sydney, July 9 (FN Agency) Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Tuesday reiterated the federal government’s commitment to supporting a two-state solution in tackling the Palestine-Israel conflict. “We have supported a ceasefire in order to advance security and peace for people in the Middle East. We have consistently supported a two-state solution, one which is necessary for the security of both Israelis and Palestinians to be able to live in peace and security,” Albanese told reporters in Sydney. He noted that the Australian government’s stance on a two-state solution is a long-held one.
“The Labor Party’s position of support for the state of Israel and support for a two-state solution — with Palestinians being able to realize the legitimate aspirations they have for their own state, side-by-side with Israel — is something that has been there for a long period of time,” he said. Albanese made the remarks while announcing the appointment of Jillian Segal as the special envoy to combat antisemitism in Australia at the Jewish Museum in Sydney. The federal government expressed concern in a statement over the deep impacts of the conflict in the Middle East on various communities across Australia, while regarding the appointment of the special envoy as a critical step to ensure all Australians feel safe and included.