Australia, UK leaders discuss Gaza crisis

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Thursday that he had discussed the crisis in Gaza with his UK counterpart, Keir Starmer, and reiterated his government’s strong support for a two-state solution for Israel and the Palestinians. Starmer this week said Britain was prepared to recognise a Palestinian state in September at the United Nations General Assembly in response to growing public anger over the images of starving children in Gaza. Australia has not yet made a formal decision to recognise Palestine though Albanese supports Israel’s right to exist within secure borders and Palestinians’ right to demand their own state. In a statement, Albanese said they agreed on the importance of using international momentum to secure a ceasefire, the release of all Israeli hostages and the acceleration of aid. They also want to ensure militant group Hamas does not play a role in a future Palestinian state. Some of Israel’s closest allies, including France and Canada, have indicate