Since making his historic announcement on Monday, the Prime Minister has been both accused of “rewarding” Hamas and praised for joining the global push to realise the rights of Palestinians. Some of his more mild critics have questioned what Australia’s recognition of Palestine would practically do – a question put to him during a morning show blitz on Tuesday. “What it does is send a message that the international community is saying enough is enough,” Mr Albanese told Seven’s Sunrise. “This is a conflict that has gone on now for 77 years. “The international community are saying we need to find a solution that promotes security for the state of Israel but also recognises the political aspirations of the Palestinian people for their own state. “That’s why countries like the United Kingdom, France, Canada, and now Australia, but other countries, as well, will be joining in September at the United Nations to join the 147 countries that have already recognised Palestine.” He went on to say the status quo must be broken for any progress to take place. “You can’t just keep doing the same thing over and over again and expect a different outcome, and this is the best opportunity that there is out of a crisis to actually provide a long-term solution,” he said. “One in which the states around Israel recognise its right to exist. “One which sees a demilitarised state of Palestine, enables Palestinians to just live. “To continue to do the same thing is not enough.” The Coalition has taken a different view and said the move broke a decades-long bipartisan position. “The decision by the Albanese Government to recognise a Palestinian State does not make the world a safer place, expedite the end of the conflict, deliver a two state solution, see the free flow of aid, support the release of hostages or put an end to the terrorist group Hamas,” opposition foreign affairs spokeswoman Michaelia Cash posted on social media. “Mr Albanese must explain how recognising a Palestinian State does not risk rewarding and empowering terrorists.” She wrote in another post: “Mr Albanese – you don’t achieve peace by reward terrorists.” The latter was shared by Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, who has not yet commented further. Speaking to Sky News on Tuesday, opposition frontbencher James Paterson echoed Senator Cash, saying that Australia “should never recognise a state which is in part governed by a listed terrorist organisation that continues to hold hostages”. “And I thought it was extraordinary that the Prime Minister didn’t even attach a condition of recognition in September for the hostages to be released,” Senator Paterson said. “I also thought it was incredibly naive for the Prime Minister to believe the promises of Mahmoud Abbas and the Palestinian Authority. “They’ve had 20 years to make these reforms, and they haven’t done so. “Why they would turn around and do these reforms after countries like Australia have promised to recognise them defies belief, and their ability to deliver on these reforms, particularly after democratic elections … is in grave question.” Senator Paterson also said he feared it would be a “historic mistake”. “As the US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said, Hamas walked away from the negotiating table once they realised countries like Australia were willing to recognise the state of Palestine,” he said. “Why would they negotiate and give up their leverage over hostages if they were getting exactly what they wanted without making any concessions in return?” While the decision has spurred mixed reactions at home, it has been praised abroad. Among those welcoming Monday’s announcement is Emmanuel Macron, who Mr Albanese spoke with last week before making his mind up. The French President was the first major Western leader to pledge to recognise Palestine at UNGA. “I welcome the fact that Australian Prime Minister (Anthony Albanese) is joining the momentum we created in New York, which has already been supported by the United Kingdom, Canada, Portugal, and others,” Mr Macron posted on social media. “This reflects our commitment to the two-State solution and to the need to collectively rebuild a political pathway, without which there can be no peace and security for all.”