Australia has changed its diplomatic stance by supporting a United Nations resolution calling for Israel to “end its illegal presence” in the occupied Palestinian territories – Gaza and the West Bank – “as quickly as possible” and to cease new settlements.
Australia was among 157 countries that supported the resolution, while eight voted against it, including the United States and Israel. Seven countries abstained from the vote.
The resolution also recognized the “inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, primarily the right to self-determination and the right to an independent state.”
Australia abstained from a Palestinian-drafted resolution passed in September that similarly called for Israel to end its “illegal presence” in Gaza and the West Bank within 12 months.
At the time, Foreign Minister Penny Wong said she was “disappointed” with the result. He said that although Australia had wanted to vote in favor of the resolution, it abstained as the amendments it had requested to the resolution were not accepted.
Israel has occupied the Palestinian territories – the Gaza Strip and the West Bank (including East Jerusalem) – since the 1967 Arab-Israeli war, after which it began building settlements.
In 2005, Israel ended its permanent military presence in Gaza, withdrawing its troops and dismantling its settlements.
But the enclave has remained under a land, air and sea blockade by Israel since 2007, and Israel is still considered the occupying power under international law.
The UN believes that both Gaza and the West Bank are still under Israeli occupation, which Israel rejects.
Australia’s ambassador to the United Nations, James Larsen, told the General Assembly the position reflected growing international momentum.
“The two-state solution remains the only hope to break the endless cycle of violence, the only hope to see a safe and prosperous future for both peoples,” he said.
The resolution was one of three passed by the General Assembly.
One called for an end to Israel’s occupation of the Golan Heights, a dispute between Israel and Syria, while another outlined a path for further Palestinian representation at the United Nations.
The opposition criticizes support for the resolution
The opposition criticized Australia’s decision to support the resolution.
“I think we should instead side with allies like the United States,” opposition leader Peter Dutton said speaking to reporters in Sydney.
“The Albanian government is chasing Green votes and is prepared to sacrifice the well-being of the Jewish community in Australia to do so.”
Deputy Opposition Leader Sussan Ley said it was disappointing that Australia had changed its position on Israel and the United States, particularly “at a critical point in the relationship we should have” with the latter.
Opposition foreign affairs spokesperson Simon Birmingham criticized the Albanian government for putting Australia “at odds” with the United States and for “abandoning a key democratic ally in Israel”.