Former Australian Leaders Condemn Palestine Recognition as International Law Betrayal

Former Australian prime minister John Howard and former foreign minister Alexander Downer have strongly criticized the Albanese government's plan to recognize Palestinian statehood, calling it a betrayal of international law and a threat to the rules-based international system. They argue that Palestine does not meet the Montevideo Convention criteria for statehood and that premature recognition undermines peace efforts, deepening divisions by signaling that peace is unnecessary for statehood. They also accuse Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke of damaging Australia's longstanding relationship with Israel for short-term domestic political gain. Meanwhile, former Singapore president Halimah Yacob condemned Israel's planned military offensive in Gaza, highlighting the humanitarian crisis and urging international recognition of Palestine, emphasizing that Palestinians cannot achieve statehood without global support. Halimah's call contrasts with Singapore's Coordinating Minister for National Security, who cautioned against immediate recognition of Palestine due to potential harm to Palestinians. The Australian government's condemnation of Israeli actions in Gaza as breaches of international law and its intention to recognize Palestine at the UN reflect ongoing international tensions surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.