Australia is considering support for a UN resolution on Palestine following revisions that align with its stance on supporting a two-state solution between Israel and Palestine. The resolution, set for a vote at the UN in New York, initially faced criticism for its phrasing which called for the Security Council to reconsider Palestine’s full UN membership application, a move vetoed by the US in April. Amendments to the resolution now recognize Israel’s right to exist peacefully and extend Palestine’s rights as a UN observer, without granting full membership or voting rights. Australia’s final decision on whether to support or abstain from the vote hinges on the resolution’s final wording, as stated by Foreign Minister Penny Wong.

Concurrently, the UN General Assembly is preparing to vote on a resolution that could enhance Palestine’s UN status, despite opposition from key allies like the US, which advocates for direct negotiations with Israel. This revised draft aims to grant Palestine additional participation rights but maintains its non-voting observer state status, addressing major powers’ concerns about precedent.

The situation in Gaza remains critical, with the UN warning that aid operations may soon halt due to shortages of essential supplies such as food and fuel, exacerbated by ongoing Israeli offensives. Hospitals and basic services are at risk, increasing hardships for the civilian population caught in the conflict. As the international community watches, the upcoming votes and their outcomes could significantly impact the region’s geopolitical dynamics and the longstanding Israeli-Palestinian conflict.