West Australian Labor has become the fifth branch of the party to support recognition of a Palestinian state without conditions, caveats or qualifications.
This all but ensures the next national conference will urge a Labor government to recognise such a state. The motion, adopted by the state conference on Sunday, “supported the recognition and right of Israel and Palestine to exist within secure and recognised borders” but added unequivocally that it “urges the next Labor government to recognise Palestine”.
The resolution, initially moved by senator Sue Lines but amended by state MP Stephen Price, mirrored that adopted by the NSW Labor conference last month.
It represents a different position to Labor leader Bill Shorten, and his Victorian Labor right faction, who are likely to have to accept a significant change in Labor’s position in support of a Palestinian state without stating that recognition should be part of a two-state peace process.
Federal Labor’s current position reiterates support for a “two-state solution” and states that a future government is required only to consult with “like-minded” nations before taking the step of formally recognising a Palestinian state. That position will be challenged at next year’s national conference.
Read the full article by Troy Bramston at The Australian (subscription only).