Labor fails to support Greens motion against Israeli expansion
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Version 0 of 1. The federal opposition has failed to support a Greens motion calling on prime minister Tony Abbott to support UN resolutions against settlement expansion in Israel, just two weeks after shadow foreign affairs minister Tanya Plibersek said that settlement expansion in the occupied territories “undermined” lasting peace. The motion was moved in the Senate on Monday by the Greens leader, Christine Milne, and called on the prime minister “to ensure Australia in future supports United Nations resolutions that identify illegal Israeli settlements as a major roadblock to peace in the Middle East”. The motion also called on the prime minister to reaffirm Australia’s “commitment to a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict”. When asked why the motion was not supported, a spokesperson for Plibersek said “the opposition’s position on this is clear” and referred Guardian Australia to an earlier statement from November. “Ongoing tension around settlements highlights the need to progress, as quickly as possible, the direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians to resolve outstanding final status issues,” the statement said. “The expansion of settlements outside areas that will clearly remain part of Israel under a territorial exchange agreement undermines the prospect of a lasting peace through a two-state solution.” The Greens resolution was introduced following changes to Australia’s international stance last month when the foreign affairs minister, Julie Bishop, instructed that Australia withdraw its support for a United Nations resolution against the expansion of settlements in Israel. 158 nations had supported the resolution and Australia joined just eight other nations who abstained from the vote. The expansion of Israeli settlements into the occupied Palestinian territories is seen by many of the supporting nations as an impediment to the peace process. Greens leader Christine Milne said it was disappointing that Labor did not support the motion. "Given Labor's position whilst in government it is disappointing they have not supported this motion. Are they retreating from Bob Carr's stronger position?" The Labor party’s national platform says it supports an “enduring and just” two-state solution. It also says that this solution should be “based on the right of Israel to live in peace within secure borders internationally recognised and agreed by the parties, and reflecting the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people to also live in peace and security within their own state”. Former foreign minister Stephen Smith has also previously said in regards to the Rudd government’s position on settlements: “The government’s position is that Israel needs to freeze all settlement activity. This is one of Israel’s obligations under the Roadmap for Middle East peace.” Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning. |