Australia recognizes Palestinian permanent sovereignty in policy shift

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: The Guardian
14 Nov 2024 16:19
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A spokesperson for Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong states that the vote reflects international concern over "Israel’s" actions.

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Protesters hold up a Palestinian flag as Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during a campaign event at the PA Farm Show Complex and Expo Center, on Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024, in Harrisburg, Pa. (AP)

Australia has endorsed a United Nations resolution affirming the "permanent sovereignty" of Palestinians within the Occupied Palestinian Territory, marking a significant shift from its previous stance, The Guardian reported.

On Thursday, Australia joined 158 countries, including the UK and New Zealand, in supporting a UN committee resolution that asserts the “permanent sovereignty of the Palestinian people in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and of the Arab population in the occupied Syrian Golan over their natural resources."

Seven members, including the US, "Israel", and Canada, opposed the resolution, while 11 others abstained. The resolution will now advance to the UN General Assembly.

This marks the first instance of an Australian government voting in favor of the "permanent sovereignty" resolution since its introduction approximately two decades ago.

A spokesperson for Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong stated that the vote reflects international concern over "Israel’s" actions, including its “ongoing settlement activity, land dispossession, demolitions, and settler violence against Palestinians.”

“We have been clear that such acts undermine stability and prospects for a two-state solution,” the spokesperson stressed.

“This resolution importantly recalls UN security council resolutions that reaffirm the importance of a two-state solution that has had bipartisan support.”

However, The Guardian Australia said it understands that Australia expressed disappointment over the resolution’s lack of references to Hezbollah’s actions against "Israel".

The news website pointed out that Australia's position on final-status issues, such as borders, security, and occupied al-Quds, remains unchanged and will need to be addressed through negotiations toward a "two-state solution".

In a separate draft resolution, members voted for "Israel" to assume responsibility and provide compensation to Lebanon over a 2006 oil spill that affected significant portions of Lebanon’s coastline, as well as neighboring countries.

Australia voted in favor of this resolution, alongside 160 other countries, though The Guardian Australia understands Australia has reservations regarding the resolution’s language.

Shortly after the vote, the US mission to the UN issued a statement expressing disappointment over the "unbalanced resolution that is unfairly critical of Israel."

The report highlighted that Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's government has been gradually adjusting Australia’s approach to Middle East issues.

The Guardian recalled that in May, Australia supported a UN vote for Palestinian membership in the assembly. Wong stated that this vote was intended to grant Palestinians “modest additional rights to participate in United Nations forums” and clarified that Australia would recognize Palestine only “when we think the time is right.”

Meanwhile, the Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council indicated that it was "deeply concerned" over Albanese government’s evolving stance, the report mentioned.

Alex Ryvchin, co-chief executive of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, described the vote as indicative of a “widening gulf” between Australia and the US regarding "Israel" and Palestinian issues.

On his part, Nasser Mashni, president of the Australia Palestine Advocacy Network, welcomed the shift, calling it a “long-overdue recognition".

“Australia’s support marks an acknowledgment of the catastrophic impact of Israel’s relentless appropriation and destruction of Palestinian resources and sends a clear signal that the world is demanding accountability for these injustices,” he explained.

Mashni underscored that “this vote should be a turning point for the Australian government – it must recognise and act upon its legal obligation to use all economic, political and diplomatic tools at its disposal to help end Israel’s genocide, illegal occupation, and apartheid in Palestine.”