The Israeli embassy has issued a detailed statement expressing concerns regarding the Australian Labor Party’s proposed stance on the Israel-Palestine conflict, which will be discussed at the upcoming national conference.
Labor is considering a revised position that encompasses various aspects of the conflict, such as the issue of illegal settlements and the death penalty, aiming to update their previous call for the acknowledgment of a Palestinian state.
The embassy’s four-page statement critiques several components of the draft that will be addressed by party delegates later this week. It argues that the draft disproportionately assigns blame for the ongoing hostilities to Israel while minimizing the accountability of Palestinian authorities and Hamas.
This draft will be presented to delegates at the national conference in Adelaide and represents a significant expansion of Labor’s stance on the Israeli-Palestinian situation. The current 2023 platform primarily urges Labor to recognize a Palestinian state, a move that the Albanese government implemented in September 2022, mirroring actions taken by nations such as Canada and the United Kingdom.
The new draft elaborates on Labor’s position, opposing Israeli “illegal settlement activities” and settler violence, while also condemning recent Israeli legislation that permits the death penalty for Palestinians who kill Israelis. Furthermore, it expresses support for the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the International Criminal Court (ICC), the latter having issued an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Included in the draft is a declaration that “unreservedly condemns terrorism and violent extremism, including acts committed by Hamas.” However, it lacks previous platforms’ calls for specific actions from Labor governments, only suggesting possible sanctions against illegal settlements “as necessary.”
The Israeli embassy’s statement challenges various aspects of the draft platform. It argues that Israeli settlements do not breach international law, asserting that boundaries between Israel and a Palestinian state are “final-status issues” to be resolved via direct negotiations. It acknowledges settler violence as illegal but labels it a “marginal phenomenon” in contrast to frequent Palestinian attacks on Israelis, which it claims are not condemned by the Palestinian Authority (PA).
The embassy further critiques Australia’s recognition of a Palestinian state, claiming that such acknowledgment does not foster closer ties between the parties but rather exacerbates distances. They argue that recognition without substantial reform bolsters extremist factions, giving the impression that terrorism and intransigence yield rewards.
The embassy also disputes the draft platform’s views on the ICC and ICJ, stating that both institutions are politicized and focus disproportionately on Israel. It contends that the draft reflects a biased perspective.
The statement emphasizes Israel’s commitment to a future where Israelis and Palestinians coexist peacefully, asserting that this future cannot be achieved through unilateral political statements or international pressure directed solely at one party.
In response, the Australian Palestinian Advocacy Network (APAN) has proposed its own recommendations for Labor’s platform, urging the party to adopt a firmer stance on several issues, including Australia’s defense exports to Israel and actions regarding illegal settlements.
APAN Executive Officer Katie Shammas stated that the conference represents an opportunity for Labor to clarify its position on Australia’s complicity in these matters. She emphasized the need to halt defense exports that might contribute to atrocities and to confront the illegal settlement issue, ensuring Australia fulfills its responsibilities under international law.
The federal government has consistently maintained that it has not produced or exported ammunition or weapons to Israel for over five years. The office of Foreign Minister Penny Wong was contacted for comments regarding the Israeli embassy’s concerns. In response to these issues, Minister for International Development and Multicultural Affairs Anne Aly noted that she had not yet reviewed the full statement but affirmed that the conference would allow for comprehensive debate on the proposal.
“The Israeli embassy is free to express its views,” she remarked, adding that the conference aims to unite the Labor Party in determining its platform through robust, democratic discussions.
