PM holds talks with Palestinian leader about Israel-Hamas conflict

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese speaks about the “groundbreaking agreement” between Tuvalu and Australia. “It is clear that this is a landmark agreement and the Falepili Union between Australia and Tuvalu will be regarded as an important day when Australia recognized that we are part of the Pacific family,” he said. “With that comes the responsibility to respond to a kind request from our friends in Tuvalu and deepen the relationship between our two nations. “This includes a bilateral treaty between Tuvalu and Australia, as well as a commitment in a Joint Leaders Declaration to strengthen our broader bilateral partnership. “Falepili is a Tuvaluan word for the traditional values ​​of good neighbourliness, care and mutual respect, something Australians want with all our neighbours.” He said the treaty covers three key areas of cooperation: climate change, human mobility and security.

During the call on Thursday, the Prime Minister reaffirmed support for a two-state solution and also condemned Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7, The Australian reported.

Mr Albanese further emphasized the importance of compliance with international law for the protection of all civilians as the conflict in the Gaza Strip continues.

SkyNews.com.au has contacted the Prime Minister’s Office for comment.

The conversation follows Albanese’s telephone conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu earlier this month about Israel’s military operation in the Gaza Strip.

Mr Albanese has not visited Tel Aviv in the wake of Hamas’s attacks on the Jewish state, despite calls from the opposition.

Opposition leader Peter Dutton had last month urged the prime minister to stop by Tel Aviv on his way to the United States ahead of his meeting with President Joe Biden.

“I think it would also be in the best interest of our country, Prime Minister, to go through Tel Aviv and offer support to the Israeli leadership,” Dutton said in parliament at the time.

Former Prime Minister Scott Morrison also took a subtle jab at Mr Albanese for not visiting Tel Aviv, following the previous Liberal leader’s own visit to Israel last weekend.

Morrison’s trip marked the first visit to Israel by an Australian politician since the October 7 Hamas attacks that killed more than 1,400 civilians.

The former Liberal leader was pressed during an interview on Thursday evening by Sky News Australia presenter Andrew Bolt on whether he thought Mr Albanese should have visited Israel.

“It’s up to him to make those judgments,” Morrison told Bolt.

“Since the election, I have strived not to engage in that type of commentary where I could avoid it, unless I am speaking under direct attack, which has happened more than once.

“But I know what I would do and I think Jewish Australians need to know their cause is the right one, given the atrocities committed against them.”

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Mr Albanese confirmed he would not visit Israel while speaking at a media conference ahead of his state visit to the United States.

“This is not a safe area. Our priority has been to be involved, and I have personally met with the Israeli ambassador… I have had conversations with leaders of the Palestinian community, including leaders of the Jewish community here in Australia ,” he said.

“Our priority has not been to get people to the Middle East, but to get people from the Middle East, Australian citizens, that’s what we’ve focused on rather than having a whole contingent go into an area that is clearly very volatile to say the least: a state of war.”

He added that there was also “no disagreement” among Australian security services over the position he had taken.