Australia will recognize a Palestinian state, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says, joining the leaders of France, Britain and Canada in signaling they would do so.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Monday that his country will recognize a Palestinian state in September, joining a growing list of Western allies as international condemnation and anger builds over Israel’s actions in Gaza.

The US ambassador to Israel has slammed as “ill-timed” and “not OK” the announcement by Australia and other countries to recognise a Palestinian state.

Defence Minister Richard Marles has insisted that Australia does not supply weapons to Israel and the export of component parts is "a separate issue".

Australia will recognize a Palestinian state at next month's United Nations General Assembly, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said.

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said Wednesday that his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu has “lost the plot” and that Israel’s planned occupation of Gaza City is “utterly unacceptable.

Australia has always supported a two-state solution to the dispute over the land that is now Israel and the Palestinian territories. Australia’s long hope has been that Israel and the Palestinian Authority (which Australia has diplomatic relations with) could come to a peaceful negotiated settlement to live next to each other,

"Famine is unfolding before our eyes," and urgent action is needed in the Gaza Strip, the foreign ministers of 24 countries say.