Good morning. Penny Wong says recognition of a Palestinian state is “the only hope to break the endless cycle of violence” in the Middle East – and that a two-state solution would help ensure Israel’s long-term security while undermining Hamas. The foreign minister used her speech to the ANU National Security College conference to again urge Israel to abandon plans for a ground invasion of Rafah and warned of imminent starvation among besieged Palestinians.
Meanwhile, the security agency Asio has informed a Senate inquiry of an uptick in activity from rightwing hate groups “who want to trigger a so-called ‘race war’” in Australia.
