The Albanese Government’s approach is guided by the principle of advancing the cause of peace and progress toward a just and enduring two-state solution. We believe the conflict is a matter that must be resolved through negotiations between the parties, and that viewing the conflict from just one perspective will not achieve peace and any lasting solution to the Middle East conflict cannot be at the expense of either Palestinians or Israelis.
Petition
Palestine is under an active occupation right now! Israel continues to violate basic human rights and build illegal settlements, none of which are recognised by Australia and allies such as the USA. If the illegal occupation is not stopped right now, Australia’s official position of a two-state solution will never become a reality and the Palestinian people will continue to live under the occupation. The occupation must stop now! Australia must play its part to advocate, preserve and protect human rights that are a core part of the Australian society! Australia must be on the right side of history!
We therefore ask the House to officially recognise a Palestinian state with secure and recognised borders. At a time when UN and the world’s leading human rights organisations are openly labelling Israel’s policies against Palestinians as the crime of apartheid, our government must take greater action in supporting the Palestinian people in their demand for justice and freedom!
from 25 citizens (Petition No. EN4681)
Full speech
Dear Ms Templeman,
Thank you for your correspondence of 6 March enclosing a petition (EN4681) regarding the question of Palestinian statehood.
The Albanese Government’s approach is guided by the principle of advancing the cause of peace and progress toward a just and enduring two-state solution. We believe the conflict is a matter that must be resolved through negotiations between the parties, and that viewing the conflict from just one perspective will not achieve peace and any lasting solution to the Middle East conflict cannot be at the expense of either Palestinians or Israelis.
The Albanese Government is taking steps consistent with these overarching principles. We have reaffirmed Australia’s previous longstanding and bipartisan position that Jerusalem is a final status issue that should be resolved through peace negotiations.
In recognition of the vital work the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) undertakes, the Albanese Government has doubled its funding to the organisation from $10 million to $20 million this financial year. UNRWA is the only organisation that has the mandate and central role to provide relief and social services to Palestinian refugees in the region. We will continue Australia’s long-term support of UNRWA until there is a just and sustainable solution to the refugee situation.
We are also rebalancing Australia’s position in international forums. The Albanese Government has shifted five votes related to Israel and the Palestinian Territories in the UN General Assembly’s main committees, including on the operations of UNRWA, Palestinian refugees’ properties, Israeli settlements, and the right of the Palestinian people to self- determination.
Australia does not support unilateral actions that reduce the prospects for peace, inflame tensions and prevent Israelis and Palestinians from the full enjoyment of their fundamental human rights, a view the Australian Government expressed at the Human Rights Council on 6 March.
Settlements are an obstacle to peace. At Senate Estimates on 16 February 2022, I associated Australia with the joint statement made by the Foreign Ministers of France, Germany, Italy, the United States, and the United Kingdom on the Israeli government’s announcement that it is advancing nearly 10,000 settlement units and intends to begin a process to normalise nine outposts previously deemed illegal under Israeli law.
The Albanese Government’s approach is guided by the principle of advancing the cause of peace and progress toward a just and enduring two-state solution.
Thank you for your correspondence and ongoing interest in the matter.
Yours sincerely
from the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Penny Wong