The Albanese government will describe Israeli settlements as “illegal” under international law and recognise the West Bank and Gaza as “Occupied Palestinian territories” in a move to head off a damaging Labor conference fight over Middle East policy.
While Labor MPs described the move, revealed by Foreign Minister Penny Wong at Tuesday’s caucus meeting, as an olive branch for the party’s pro-Palestinian supporters, Jewish groups are furious over the shift.
Senator Wong told MPs the change would “strengthen” Australia’s opposition to Israeli settlements in the West Bank and in a shot at the Morrison government’s pro-Israel tilt, emphasise a principles-based approach for the shared goal of peace.
“We are deeply concerned by the Israeli government’s settlement activity,” Senator Wong later told the Senate.
“The Australian government is strengthening its opposition to settlements by affirming they are illegal under international law and a significant obstacle to peace.”
“This is consistent with a position of past governments, reflects legal advice and United Nations Security Council resolutions which determined that the settlements have no legal validity and constitute a violation of international law.“
Senator Wong she would be returning Australia to the position of past governments of referring to “Occupied Palestinian territories”, matching the United Nations Security Council resolutions and the United Kingdom, New Zealand and European Union.
Read the article by Andrew Tillett in the Financial Review.