Australia has changed its diplomatic position in backing a United Nations resolution calling for Israel to “end its unlawful presence” in the occupied Palestinian territories — Gaza and the West Bank — “as rapidly as possible” and 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 voting.
The resolution also recognised the “inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, primarily the right to self-determination and the right to their independent state”.
Australia abstained from a Palestinian-drafted resolution that passed in September, similarly demanding Israel end its “unlawful presence” in Gaza and the West Bank within 12 months.
At the time, Foreign Minister Penny Wong said she was “disappointed” by the outcome. She said while Australia had wanted to vote for the resolution, it abstained as amendments it sought to the resolution were not accepted.
Israel has occupied Palestinian territories — the Gaza Strip and the West Bank (including East Jerusalem) — since the 1967 Arab-Israeli war, after which it started building settlements.
In 2005, Israel ended its permanent military presence in Gaza, withdrawing its troops and dismantling its settlements there.
But the enclave has remained under a land, air and sea blockade by Israel since 2007, and Israel is still considered to be the occupying power under international law.
The UN considers both Gaza and the West Bank to still be under Israeli occupation, which Israel rejects.
Australia’s ambassador to the UN, James Larsen, told the General Assembly the position reflected growing international momentum.
“A two-state solution remains the only hope of breaking the endless cycle of violence, the only hope to see a secure and prosperous future for both peoples,” he said.
The resolution was one of three that passed at the General Assembly.
One called for an end to Israel’s occupation of the Golan Heights, which is disputed between Israel and Syria, while another outlined a path for further Palestinian representation at the UN.
Opposition criticises resolution support
The Opposition has criticised Australia’s decision to support the resolution.
“I think we should be standing with allies like the United States instead,” Opposition leader Peter Dutton said while speaking to reporters in Sydney.
“The Albanese government is chasing Green votes and has been prepared to sacrifice the wellbeing of the Jewish community in Australia to do so.”
Deputy Opposition leader Sussan Ley said it was disappointing that Australia would shift its stance away from that of Israel and the US, particularly “at a critical point in the relationship that we should be having” with the latter.
Opposition foreign affairs spokesperson Simon Birmingham criticised the Albanese government for putting Australia “at odds” with the US and for having “abandoned a key democratic ally in Israel”.