Israel’s Ambassador to UN Danny Danon dismisses Palestinian recognition as feel-good picture op

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has been applauded in his United Nations debut in New York, after telling the hall that Australia has officially recognised Palestine as a state.

He was tenth in line to speak at the conference hosted by France and Saudi Arabia on a two-state solution, in which Australia joined a raft of nations, including the UK in recognising Palestinian statehood.

Mr Albanese and French President Emmanuel Macron held a bilateral meeting shortly after, in which Mr Albanese praised the French president for his leadership and invited him to Australia for a visit.

Australia, the UK and Canada joined France, Monaco, Belgium, and Luxembourg were among the countries to formally recognise Palestine as a state, prompting a furious response from Israel and the United States.

Israel’s Ambassador to the UN Danny Danon told The Nightly that the move was a feel-good stunt aimed at making Western leaders who could not force Hamas to stop its war against Israel feel like they were doing something for domestic votes.

He rejected outright that Israel’s actions in the West Bank are to blame for its traditional allies, including Australia, moving against the Jewish state in recognising Palestinian statehood before a two-state solution is brokered.

Israel’s Ambassador Danny Danon said it was “theatre” that was “detached from reality.”

“While Macron and his colleagues celebrate, 48 hostages will stay in captivity in Gaza,” Mr Danon said, referring to the remaining captives that Hamas has imprisoned since the October 7 attacks which triggered the war.

“This conference came to life from domestic interests.”

Foreign Minister Penny Wong has rejected that Labor changed Australia’s position based on domestic voting considerations, following pro-Palestinian marches across Australian cities, including a record demonstration across the Sydney Harbour Bridge last month.

When The Nightly put Mr Albanese’s comments to Mr Danon he rejected the claim that Israel was responsible for triggering the move towards Palestinian recognition.

“Absolutely not,” he said.

“I want to remind you that exactly 20 years ago, we actually took out all the Jewish communities, the so-called settlements from Gaza,” he said.

“Look what happened on October 7.

“There was a ceasefire on October 7 and still Hamas chose to attack us.”

Pressed on why allies were moving against Israel, Mr Dannon said it was easier for leaders to take pictures rather than force Hamas to lay down its arms.

“It is a very long war. It is the longest war in our history.

“Many countries want to take action and to feel like they are doing something.

“They cannot speak with Hamas.

“With all due respect to President Macron, they cannot give instructions to Hamas.

“So it’s easier to come here, to make statements, take pictures.

“They feel they are doing something.

“But they are not supporting peace, on the contrary, they are promoting terrorism.”

Mr Danon said a two-state solution was off the table after October 7 but said that Israel would speak with the Palestinians when there was a genuine leadership that did not support terrorism against the Jewish state.

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said there will never be a Palestinian state west of the Jordan river and threatened retaliation following his meeting with US President Donald Trump later this week.

Israel’s deputy foreign minister Sharryn Haskel told The Nightly that the Israeli people backed Netanyahu’s stance.

“The people of Israel do not support a two-state solution,” she said.

“We are a democracy, so there will not be a Palestinian state.

“We know this decision by those countries is entirely about virtue signalling - particularly to Muslims and left-wing activists.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was applauded as he made his debut in the United Nations General Assembly Hall overnight.

He in turn was spotted applauding the speech of Prabowo Subianto, the leader of Indonesia, and the world’s largest Muslim democracy.

When he told the Assembly, which had considerably emptied by the time he rose to give his speech, that on Sunday Australia had recognised Palestine, he was applauded.

He said Israel’s behaviour had prompted the change in Australia’s policy including the right-wing coalition government led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s threats to annex parts of the West Bank, a territory separate to Gaza, and permanently displace the Palestinian people.

“Such conduct risks putting a two-state solution beyond reach,” Mr Albanese said.

“That is where the current road will take us, which is why we must choose a different path.

“We must break this cycle of violence and build something better.”

French President Emmanuel Macron was given a standing ovation when he announced France was recognising Palestine.

“We must do everything within our power to preserve the very possibility of a two-state solution, Israel and Palestine living side by side in peace and security,” President Macron said

“The time has come.

“This is why — true to the historic commitment of my country to the Middle East, to peace between the Israelis and the Palestinians — this is why I declare that today, France recognises the state of Palestine.”

Britain’s new Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said the UK was changing its position with an eye to its past and future.

“75 years ago, Britain was rightly proud to recognise the State of Israel,” she said.

“But the promise of upholding Palestinian rights has gone unfulfilled.

“For decades, my country supported a two-state solution but only recognised one state.

“That changes now as we join more than 150 Member States in recognising the State of Palestine and protecting the pathway to peace.”

Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez called on the UN to admit Palestine as a member state.

“This conference marks a milestone but it’s not the end of the road,” Mr Sanchez said.

“It’s only the beginning.

“The state of Palestine must be a full member of the United Nations.

“The process for the state of Palestine to join this organisation must be completed as soon as possible, on an equal footing with other states.”

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who the US barred from attending the UN gathering in person but the UN voted to allow to address via video link, called on Hamas to surrender.

“Hamas and other factions must surrender their weapons to the Palestinian Authority,” he said.

“What we want is one unified state without weapons, a state with one law and one legitimate security forces.”