We choose to see the Australian Government’s move toward recognising a Palestinian state as an act of care for the dignity and rights of the Palestinian people. That is a value we share. But recognising statehood before the conditions for statehood exist risks rewarding those who wage war instead of those who work for peace.
The overwhelming majority of Israelis and Palestinians are good people who long to live side by side in safety, dignity, and peace. This vision is at the heart of Israel’s founding and is enshrined in its Declaration of Independence. What remains in question is whether that same recognition will be extended to the Jewish State itself by any future Palestinian Government or the masses marching in its name on our city streets.
The Prime Minister was right to call for the immediate return of all hostages taken on October 7, 2023. But that is only the first step. Before any pathway to Palestinian statehood can be considered, Hamas must be removed from power, its military capabilities dismantled, and its commitment to terrorism renounced. Institutions must be established that uphold the rule of law, protect human rights, and serve civilians directly.
Statehood should be the culmination of building peace, not a reward offered in its absence. Without these foundations, recognition risks entrenching those who harm both Palestinians and Israelis, and prolonging the suffering of all.
Our prayer is simple: May those held captive be returned swiftly to their homes. May the leaders of both peoples find the courage to turn from violence toward justice. May the children of Gaza and Israel grow up free from fear. And may we all live to see the day when peace is not a distant hope, but a daily reality.