URGENT UPDATE: Jewish community leaders from Australia, the UK, and Canada have just issued a powerful joint statement urging their governments to reconsider recognizing a Palestinian state at the upcoming UN General Assembly later this month. The Executive Council of Australian Jewry, the Board of Deputies of British Jews, and the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (Canada) expressed deep concerns that such recognition would be perceived by Hamas as a “reward for its violence and rejectionism towards Israel.”
The leaders warned that this recognition could undermine efforts to secure the release of hostages taken by Hamas, stating that the announced intentions “have lessened rather than maximized pressure for the hostages’ release and for Hamas to disarm.” They emphasized that Hamas has publicly welcomed the potential recognition as the “fruits of October 7,” the date marking the recent escalation of violence.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced in August that Australia would support Palestinian recognition at the UN, following similar declarations from France, the UK, and Canada. A senior Hamas official praised Australia’s move, claiming it showed “political courage.”
In their statement, the Jewish organizations outlined critical diplomatic priorities: securing the return of hostages, disarming Hamas, ensuring humanitarian aid reaches Gaza civilians without diversion to Hamas, and adherence to international law. They warned that recognizing a Palestinian state while Hamas remains armed would betray Palestinians who oppose Hamas rule.
The organizations criticized their governments for failing to make Hamas’s disarmament a prerequisite for recognition. They stated, “Our governments are in effect saying that the fulfilment of these requirements post-recognition will be taken on trust.” This approach, they argued, “lacks credibility, borders on recklessness, and sets up Palestinian statehood for failure from the outset.”
The statement expressed particular alarm for the hostages, citing reports of them being starved and denied access to the Red Cross. “They do not have much time,” the organizations warned. The broader security implications were also highlighted, with concerns that extremist groups may respond to recognition with increased violence against Jewish communities globally.
When Albanese announced Australia’s recognition, he indicated it was contingent upon commitments from the Palestinian Authority, including recognizing Israel’s right to exist and disarming. However, ECAJ president Daniel Aghion criticized the decision, stating it abandoned decades of bipartisan consensus and left key conditions as mere promises.
Aghion described the recognition as a “betrayal and abandonment of the Israeli hostages,” warning it would enable Hamas to remain armed and in control, poised to regroup and rearm.
As developments continue to unfold, the Jewish organizations are calling for immediate action to prioritize hostage safety and ensure that any steps toward statehood do not empower violent factions. The outcome of the UN General Assembly later this month could have profound implications for the region and beyond.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story as governments respond to this urgent call.
