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Australia raises concerns with Israel about minister’s remarks on Palestinians | |
(32 minutes later) | |
Finance minister Bezalel Smotrich provoked outrage by saying there was ‘no such thing as a Palestinian people’ | Finance minister Bezalel Smotrich provoked outrage by saying there was ‘no such thing as a Palestinian people’ |
The Australian government has raised concerns with the Israeli government over a minister’s “inflammatory” remarks about the Palestinian people, Guardian Australia can reveal. | The Australian government has raised concerns with the Israeli government over a minister’s “inflammatory” remarks about the Palestinian people, Guardian Australia can reveal. |
Israel’s finance minister, Bezalel Smotrich, has provoked outrage by saying there was “no such thing as a Palestinian people”, just weeks after he said the Palestinian town of Huwara in the West Bank should be “erased”. | Israel’s finance minister, Bezalel Smotrich, has provoked outrage by saying there was “no such thing as a Palestinian people”, just weeks after he said the Palestinian town of Huwara in the West Bank should be “erased”. |
A source who did not wish to be named said Australia had conveyed concerns about Smotrich’s “inflammatory and irresponsible” comments in discussions with senior Israeli counterparts. | A source who did not wish to be named said Australia had conveyed concerns about Smotrich’s “inflammatory and irresponsible” comments in discussions with senior Israeli counterparts. |
It has urged Israeli and Palestinian leaders to refrain from unilateral actions that undermine the prospects of a future two-state solution, saying they should work to create the conditions for peace and, ultimately, return to direct negotiations in good faith. | It has urged Israeli and Palestinian leaders to refrain from unilateral actions that undermine the prospects of a future two-state solution, saying they should work to create the conditions for peace and, ultimately, return to direct negotiations in good faith. |
In addition, Australia has used talks with senior Israeli counterparts to raise the government’s plans to rein in the powers of the judiciary, a controversial proposal that has sparked massive strikes and protests. | In addition, Australia has used talks with senior Israeli counterparts to raise the government’s plans to rein in the powers of the judiciary, a controversial proposal that has sparked massive strikes and protests. |
The embattled prime minster, Benjamin Netanyahu, bowed to pressure on Monday and delayed his far-right government’s proposals to overhaul the judiciary after 12 weeks of escalating political crisis. | The embattled prime minster, Benjamin Netanyahu, bowed to pressure on Monday and delayed his far-right government’s proposals to overhaul the judiciary after 12 weeks of escalating political crisis. |
Netanyahu said he was “not willing to tear the nation in half”, although he has not dropped the plans altogether. | Netanyahu said he was “not willing to tear the nation in half”, although he has not dropped the plans altogether. |
The Australian foreign affairs minister, Penny Wong, said on Tuesday night that Australia welcomed Netanyahu’s decision to pause the legislation. | The Australian foreign affairs minister, Penny Wong, said on Tuesday night that Australia welcomed Netanyahu’s decision to pause the legislation. |
Wong said Australia had “a longstanding friendship with Israel based on shared values and a commitment to democracy and the rule of law”. | Wong said Australia had “a longstanding friendship with Israel based on shared values and a commitment to democracy and the rule of law”. |
“A robust system of checks and balances is a fundamental characteristic of any modern democracy,” she said. | “A robust system of checks and balances is a fundamental characteristic of any modern democracy,” she said. |
“We encourage parties to find common ground consistent with democratic principles.” | “We encourage parties to find common ground consistent with democratic principles.” |
Proponents of the judicial changes have argued they are needed to better balance the branches of government and combat a perceived leftwing bias in the court’s rulings. | Proponents of the judicial changes have argued they are needed to better balance the branches of government and combat a perceived leftwing bias in the court’s rulings. |
But critics say the changes will erase democratic norms, handing politicians too much power by allowing a simple majority in the Knesset to overrule almost all of the court’s decisions, and giving politicians a decisive say on appointments to the bench. | But critics say the changes will erase democratic norms, handing politicians too much power by allowing a simple majority in the Knesset to overrule almost all of the court’s decisions, and giving politicians a decisive say on appointments to the bench. |
It has also been pointed out the move could help Netanyahu evade prosecution in his corruption trial, in which he denies all charges. | It has also been pointed out the move could help Netanyahu evade prosecution in his corruption trial, in which he denies all charges. |
In October, the Australian Labor government reversed the previous Coalition government’s recognition of West Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, a move that triggered criticism from Israel’s then prime minister, Yair Lapid. | In October, the Australian Labor government reversed the previous Coalition government’s recognition of West Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, a move that triggered criticism from Israel’s then prime minister, Yair Lapid. |
Wong announced the decision at a press conference a day after Guardian Australia revealed the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade had quietly changed the language on its website. | Wong announced the decision at a press conference a day after Guardian Australia revealed the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade had quietly changed the language on its website. |
At the time, said the government was simply reaffirming “Australia’s previous and longstanding position that Jerusalem is a final-status issue that should be resolved as part of any peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian people”. | At the time, said the government was simply reaffirming “Australia’s previous and longstanding position that Jerusalem is a final-status issue that should be resolved as part of any peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian people”. |
The government has not committed to a timetable to meet a Labor platform commitment to recognise Palestinian statehood. | The government has not committed to a timetable to meet a Labor platform commitment to recognise Palestinian statehood. |
Additional reporting by Bethan McKernan in Jerusalem | Additional reporting by Bethan McKernan in Jerusalem |
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