Hamas praise for Australia’s Palestine recognition sparks further Jewish community outcry
Australian Jewish leaders have increased their criticism of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s decision to recognise a Palestinian state, following praise for the move from Hamas.
Jewish leaders argue that this endorsement from the designated terrorist organisation proves that the move validates terrorism and fundamentally betrays Israel’s security.
The controversy erupted after Albanese announced on August 11 that Australia would formally recognise Palestinian statehood at the United Nations General Assembly in September. This recognition is conditional on the Palestinian Authority excluding Hamas from governance and the demilitarisation of Gaza.
Anthony Albanese Mick Tsikas/AAP
Hamas, designated by Australia as a terrorist organisation, swiftly welcomed the decision. Co-founder Sheikh Hassan Yousef celebrated the move, praising Australia’s “political courage.” Another official from Hamas has quoted in the media as saying the decision was a vindication of the October 7, 2023, attacks and a triumph for “armed resistance”.
The Israeli ambassador to Australia, Amir Maimon, expressed strong opposition to the decision. He stated that by making this move, Australia “elevates the position of Hamas, a group it acknowledges as a terrorist organisation.” Maimon also argued that rewarding those who use terror as a political tool “sends the dangerous message that violence brings political gains.”
Writing on X Maimon stated “Calling out Hamas propaganda is right. Doing it only when it suits politics is not.
Hamas always lies: about casualty numbers, about hiding in hospitals and schools, and about who really puts Gazans at risk.
Truth is not selective.”
In a post on X, Alex Ryvchin, co-chief executive of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ), echoed this sentiment. He suggested that while the Prime Minister may have intended the recognition as a defeat for Hamas, the terrorist group views it as a “step closer to total victory”. Ryvchin argued that Western governments have unintentionally signalled that “spectacular acts of violence bring desired political outcomes”, essentially letting terrorism work.
Colin Rubenstein, executive director of the Australia/Israel and Jewish Affairs Council (AIJAC), also described the recognition as “a reward for terrorism” and a betrayal of Israel. He added that Jewish groups had previously warned the government that the move would embolden Hamas.
Former Labor frontbencher Mike Kelly, co-convenor of Labor Friends of Israel, warned that Hamas would “seize upon Australian recognition to justify its violent tactics”. He described the commitments extracted from the Palestinian Authority as “meaningless”, saying the West was “being played by a ruthless terrorist organisation”.
The Zionist Federation of Australia and other community organisations have also condemned the move. They warn that unilateral recognition undermines peace efforts and ignores the absence of a viable Palestinian partner committed to coexistence. Some community members have linked the decision to heightened tensions and rising antisemitism in Australia since October 7.
Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel called it a “disgraceful day for Australia” when terrorists celebrate its foreign policy. Opposition figures, including Leader of the Opposition, Sussan Ley and Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs, Michaelia Cash, accused the government of handing Hamas a “massive propaganda victory” and demanded the decision be reversed.
The Albanese government has dismissed Hamas’s remarks as propaganda, arguing that recognition isolates Hamas and advances a two-state solution. However, Jewish leaders remain unconvinced. They are urging the Coalition to overturn the decision if elected and calling for stronger domestic measures against antisemitism.
Update: In the last few hours, Hamas has denied remarks attributed to co-founder Sheikh Hassan Yousef as praising Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for advancing recognition of Palestinian statehood. Speaking to AAP, the terror group’s foreign relations chief, Istanbul-based Basem Naim claimed Yousef has been imprisoned in Israel since October 2023 and cannot communicate with the media.
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