Labor has been facing demands to accelerate its timeline to recognise a Palestinian state as the Israeli PM says such a move is ‘shameful’

The Albanese government could announce its decision to recognise Palestinian statehood within days, cabinet sources have confirmed to Guardian Australia.

The confirmation comes hours after the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu – facing growing disapproval over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza – branded Australia and European nations “shameful” for considering recognising a Palestinian state. He claimed Australia would do “at least what we [Israel] are doing” if Sydney or Melbourne had been subject to the type of terrorist attack Israel experienced in the 7 October Hamas attacks, when 1,200 people were killed.