CANBERRA — Australia's Labor government will seek to avert a
damaging internal split over the
Israel-Palestine conflict by hardening its
language on the Palestinian territories, with the federal government to
officially refer to Israel’s settlements in the West Bank as “illegal” and the
territories as “occupied”.
اضافة اعلان
Foreign Minister Penny Wong announced Tuesday before
parliament the shift in the country's policy, prompting the opposition to
accuse her of showing more concern for factional tensions than international
diplomacy, The Age newspaper reported.
Condemned by pro-Israel groups as one-sided, celebrated by
Palestinian advocatesThe news was condemned by pro-Israel groups as one-sided,
while Palestinian advocates celebrated the move but pressed Labor to go
further.
A chance to strengthen Palestinian statehood
The decision comes less than two weeks before Labor’s
national conference, an event some party activists hope to use to strengthen
Labor’s policy platform commitment to
Palestinian statehood.
Wong said the government was “gravely concerned about
alarming trends that are significantly reducing the prospects of peace” between
Israel and Palestine.
Significant obstacle to peace“The Australian government is strengthening its opposition
to settlements by affirming they are illegal under international law and a
significant obstacle to peace,” she told parliament.
Wong said the decision brought Australia into line with the
United Kingdom, New Zealand, and the
European Union, adding she had briefed the
Israeli ambassador on the issue because Australia remains “a committed friend
of Israel”.
Colin Rubenstein, executive director of the Australia/Israel
& Jewish Affairs Council, said the government’s new stance was “one-sided”
and rewarded “destructive Palestinian tactics”.
“This decision will make it extremely
difficult for Australia to present itself as a credible and effective advocate for a
two-state peace,” he said.
Nasser Mashni, president of the Australia Palestine Advocacy
Network, welcomed the change as a “sensible, modest move by the Australian
government”.
“Israeli settlements are in clear violation of international
law and there is no doubt that Israel is occupying Palestinian lands,” he said.
A commitment to recogonize Palestine
“We look forward to the government taking the next step and
honoring its commitment to recognize Palestine.”
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