SYDNEY, Saturday, May 11, 2024 (WAFA) - Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said today the country's support for Palestine's bid to become a full United Nations member was part of building momentum to secure peace in Palestine.

Australia voted on Friday with the overwhelming majority of the UN General Assembly in backing the resolution that would effectively recognize a state of Palestine. It recommended the Security Council "reconsider the matter favorably".

"Much of our region and many of our partners also voted yes," Wong told a press conference in Adelaide. 

She added, "We all know one vote on its own won't end this conflict - it has spanned our entire lifetimes - but we all have to do what we can to build momentum towards peace."

Friday's General Assembly vote - 143 in favour, nine including the U.S. and Israel against, and 25 abstaining - was a global survey of support for the Palestinian bid. The Palestinians are a non-member observer state.

"Australia has long been an unwavering supporter of a two-state solution", Australia's ambassador to the U.N., James Larsen posted on X.

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