Amid the fuss over Scott Morrison’s Jerusalem announcement, our UN representatives were right to join the US and Israel in voting against the non-existent state of Palestine being elected to head one of the world body’s biggest organisations. Their efforts did not stop the General Assembly (by a margin of 146-3) electing the non-UN member as leader of the G77 group of developing countries plus China (it now numbers 135 countries). This is an influential post that has been the preserve of full UN members since 1964.
The issue highlighted the way Palestinian leaders, while refusing to resume negotiations with Israel, are again embarked on a brazen attempt to achieve statehood through the back door at the UN. As US ambassador Nikki Haley said of what was unquestionably a significant victory for Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas: “The Palestinians are not a UN member state or any other state at all … today’s UN mistake undermines the prospects for peace by encouraging the illusion held by some Palestinian leaders that they can advance their goals without direct peace negotiations.” Our UN ambassador, Gillian Bird, warned: “Palestinian attempts to seek recognition as a state in international forums are deeply unhelpful to efforts towards a two-state solution. Unilateral recognition of Palestinian statehood will not resolve outstanding issues or create conditions for enduring stability.”
Read the editorial from The Australian.