LABOR heavyweights have tied themselves up in knots trying to solve a problem that has confounded world leaders for decades — Israel and Palestine and the two-state solution.
This weekend’s NSW Labor conference had been set to feature a resolution calling for recognition of a Palestinian state in what would have been seen as a black eye for federal Opposition Leader Bill Shorten, who is pro-Israel.
But in a meeting on Tuesday between former NSW premier Bob Carr, upper house MP Shaoquett Moselmane, former state treasurer Eric Roozendaal, former ALP heavyweight Michael Easson, NSW Labor general secretary Kaila Murnain and Unions NSW boss Mark Morey a deal was reached to save Mr Shorten’s blushes.
It is now expected that late on Sunday afternoon this year’s conference will vote to “urge” a Labor government to recognise Palestine, but as part of a clear two-state solution.
The original Carr-inspired motion had no mention of the two-state solution. In one corner in this fight are the likes of federal frontbenchers Tony Burke and Anthony Albanese, who are with Mr Carr on the pro-Palestinian side, while Mr Shorten and his deputy Tanya Plibersek are pro-Israel.
Read the full article by Andrew Clennell at The Daily Telegraph (subscriber only).