Australia reverses position to support vote calling on Israel to end occupation of Gaza, East Jerusalem and West Bank
Screenshot_20241203-184321.png
Australia supports a UN resolution calling on Israel to end its presence in the occupied Palestinian territories.
February:
Australia voted in favour of a UN resolution demanding that Israel promptly end its occupation of the Palestinian territories.
The vote represents a long-standing change of position. Australia has abstained on similar resolutions at previous General Assembly meetings. What next? An international conference to work towards a two-state solution will be held next year.
Australia has reversed its position to support a UN resolution calling on "Israel to end its illegal presence in the occupied Palestinian territory as soon as possible".
The resolution, adopted by the UN General Assembly, also calls for an end to all new settlement activity and the withdrawal of settlers from the occupied territory.
Australia was one of 157 countries that voted in favour of the resolution. Seven countries abstained and eight voted against, including the United States and Israel.
Australia has abstained from voting on similar resolutions at previous General Assembly meetings, including a vote in September.
Since then, the International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, charging them with war crimes and crimes against humanity. Australia is a party to the ICC and has a legal obligation to arrest these men if they turn up.
Palestinians stand among the ruins of destroyed buildings, in the background of other buildings
Gaza (pictured), East Jerusalem and the West Bank, two war-torn territories, constitute the occupied territories. (Reuters: Dawoud Abu Alkas)
Australia's ambassador to the United Nations, James Larsen, said Australia had returned to the position it held until 2001.
He said that at the time, "the international community and the parties themselves came together to chart a path to a two-state solution" and that the vote "reflects our determination that the international community will work together again to build momentum towards that goal."
The Occupied Palestinian Territory includes Gaza, which has been almost completely cleared of Israeli bombardment since the October 7 terrorist attack by Hamas, and the West Bank. It also includes East Jerusalem.
[attachment deleted by admin]