Anthony Albanese reaffirms commitment to a two-state solution amid controversy over “from the river to the sea” protest slogan

Taking a clear stance at a press conference on Monday, the Prime Minister said the controversial slogan was inherently opposed to the two-state solution supported by his government.

“My position is very clear and the government’s position is clear and has been a bipartisan position for a long period of time,” he said.

“The long-term solution in the Middle East requires a two-state solution: the right of Israel to continue to exist within secure borders, but the right of the Palestinians to also have justice, to have self-determination and also to be able to live in security, peace and prosperity.”

The two-state solution seeks to resolve the Palestinian-Israeli conflict by establishing one state for the Jewish people and another for the Palestinians.

Albanese’s comments are in stark contrast to his Education Minister Jason Clare’s recent hesitancy to reject the politically charged phrase.

Clare refused over the weekend to take a stance on slogans that Jewish leaders say call for the annihilation of Israel, including “intifada” and “from the river to the sea.”

“I have seen people say that those words mean the annihilation of Israel. I’ve seen people say it means the opposite. “I’ve seen people say that they are slogans that have been used by Israeli political parties,” Mr Clare said.

The slogan “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” is used around the world by pro-Palestinian protesters, but has come under scrutiny for its implicit erasure of Israel.

Geographically, the motto refers to the land between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea where Israel is located.

In his final statement on Monday, Albanese emphasized the need for clarity in addressing the Israeli-Palestinian conflict when asked about the phrase “from the river to the sea.”

“I think the slogan you are referring to rules out (the two-state solution), which does not benefit the Israelis but also does not benefit the Palestinians.”

Albanese added that he was “very concerned” about the state of social cohesion in Australia amid the ongoing conflict more than 12,000 kilometers away.

“There has been an increase in anti-Semitism. There has been a rise in Islamophobia. “We need to ensure that people in positions of authority use that authority to… promote social cohesion.”

He reaffirmed his government’s commitment to multiculturalism and freedom of religion.