Oh look – Michaelia Cash has more thoughts on how Australia should handle whether it recognises a Palestinian state or not.

The same Michaelia Cash who said she would proudly invite Benjamin Netanyahu to Australia, despite him being wanted for arrest by the ICC. Yup. That one.

From her statement:

The Coalition has serious concerns about the Albanese Government’s willingness to unilaterally recognise a Palestinian state outside of a proper two-state process.

The Albanese Government has signalled its support for a state of Palestine as a step towards a two-state solution rather than at the end of the peace negotiation process.

The question of recognising Palestinian statehood should come at the end of the peace negotiation process not at the start or during it.                                      

The Coalition has been consistently clear that there can be no recognition of a Palestinian state with Hamas still in control of Gaza, and Hamas can have no role in governing a Palestinian state.

We want a peaceful solution between Israel and the Palestinians, and a viable, peaceful Palestinian state. This can only come through negotiations.

The Albanese Government should explain to Australians why it is canvassing recognition of a Palestinian state while there are still hostages in tunnels under Gaza.

This is a moment for international leaders to be applying maximum pressure on the listed terrorist organisation Hamas to immediately and unconditionally release all remaining hostages and disarm.

Australia should not reward Hamas with a pathway to statehood while they remain in control of Gaza and continue to hold Israeli hostages.