ACTION: Vote Palestine!

The following minor parties either have positive policies relating to Palestine, or are generally supportive of Palestinian self-determination:

• Australian Progressives
• Fusion Party
• Victorian Socialists
• Animal Justice Party
• Australian Democrats
• Socialist Alliance

Israeli settlements are Jewish only neighbourhoods and cities built in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, which consequently undermines any peace agreement based on the two state solution. The Fourth Geneva Convention explicitly forbids Occupying Powers to transfer their civilians into occupied lands. Major settlement expansions have taken place over the course of this last Australian parliamentary term, and been widely criticised by many countries.  

Liberal/National

The current Government has been largely silent about Israel’s expansion into Palestinian territory, and they have never referred to Israeli settlements as illegal. In fact in 2014, when the then Foreign Minister was asked by a journalist about their legality, she replied “I would like to see which international law has declared them illegal.” 

The Foreign Minister has made just one public comment about settlements this parliamentary term, in May 2021 when she called for a halt to actions that increase tensions, including “settlement activity”.  In response to questions in Senate Estimates in June 2021 and October 2021 Senator Payne and DFAT officials indicated that they often raise questions with Israel about settlement expansions, but do not take a position on the illegality of these settlements. 

Australian Labor Party

A resolution at the 2015 ALP conference indicated that in Government, Labor held that settlements are illegal under international law. Since then, Labor have been consistent in condemning settlement expansions as unhelpful, but has not been consistent in describing all settlements as illegal. In earlier years, the Shadow Foreign Minister has made numerous explicit statements condemning settlements (Dec 2018; Feb 2017), however in this period has made just one formal statement, and this was in the context of Israel’s attacks on Gaza in May 2021. None of Israel’s major settlement expansions have been met with a public statement of criticism. In public forums, both the Leader and Shadow Foreign Minister have consistently expressed their opposition to settlements.  

Australian Greens

The Australian Greens consistently identify Israeli settlements as illegal and condemn their expansion (May 2021, June 2021 and October 2021).

In 1967, Israel began a military occupation of the West Bank and Gaza, in clear contravention of international law and from which the international community has consistently called on them to cease. This occupation creates a matrix of control over Palestinian lives, and Palestinians are often killed by Israeli soldiers. In addition, for the last 15 years, Israel and Egypt have maintained a brutal land, sea and air blockade of Gaza that has controlled the flow of people, and goods – including water and medicines. The UN says that the siege is making Gaza uninhabitable and should immediately cease.

Liberal/National

There have been no calls from the current Government for a withdrawal of Israeli forces from occupied Palestinian territories or an end to the blockade in Gaza. Rather the Foreign Minister calls for negotiations, as if there are two equal sides; and to ‘restore calm’. Unfortunately an ongoing military occupation is anything but calm for Palestinians.

Australian Labor Party

While the ALP policy is clear that they will not accept the Occupation to continue in perpetuity, they have never called for an immediate withdrawal of Israel from the West Bank, nor an end to the blockade of Gaza. 

Australian Greens

The Greens National Conference in 2021 called for Israel to end its occupation of Palestine. The Leader of the Australian Greens has called for an end to the blockade on Gaza in November 2021.

Palestinian human rights groups have been identifying Israel’s regime as apartheid for many years.  In 2021 Israeli preeminent human rights group B’Tselem and Human Rights Watch both released reports concluding Israel is committing apartheid and then in February 2022 Amnesty International did the same.  

Liberal/National

The Prime Minister’s response to the Amnesty report was that “No country is perfect. There are criticisms made of all countries, but I can assure you that Australia and my government, in particular, will remain a staunch friend of Israel.” The Foreign Minister stated that “the government did not agree with the report’s characterisation of Israel”.

Australian Labor Party

In July 2021, the Labor leader stated that it is offensive to Israel to use the term apartheid to describe Israel. 

In response to the Amnesty report in 2022, while Labor did not agree with the use of the language, they indicated Australia must take the report seriously.  Senator Wong stated “[Apartheid is] not a term that’s been found to apply by any international court and is not helpful in progressing the meaningful dialogue and negotiation necessary to achieve a just and enduring peace. Australia must stand up for human rights everywhere. To be a credible voice we must call out human rights violations wherever they take place.”  

Australian Greens

In May 2021, Greens spokesperson for Foreign Affairs stated “Australia must speak out against Israeli apartheid”, and in February 2022 called for the Foreign Minister to “urge a response to Amnesty's powerful report”.

Australia frequently applies autonomous sanctions on countries or individuals that breach international law. Given that Israel is currently in flagrant breach of UN Security Council resolutions as well as General Assembly resolutions calling on it to respect Palestinian sovereignty, sanctions would be appropriate. Given Australia’s opposition to settlements and their urging of Israel’s military restraint – at a minimum, restrictions on trade with settlements and in military trade would be justified. Palestinians have called for boycotts, divestments and sanctions on Israel and any company or body that is complicit in Israel’s human right abuses, until Israel complies with international law. 

Liberal/National

The Liberal Government has been opposed to any restrictions of trade with Israel, to the extent the Trade Minister has proposed increasing trade, including exploring a Free Trade Agreement, and began steps to implement this. 

Australian Labor Party

Labor Party leaders have indicated that they reject the BDS campaign, and have often celebrated Australian trade with Israel. They have not offered a public view about a Free Trade Agreement with Israel. 

Australian Greens

The Australian Greens have a clear policy of halting military cooperation and military trade with Israel until it complies with international law. They do not have a policy regarding trade with the illegal Israeli settlements, or any broader sanctions.

The International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) has formulated a working definition of antisemitism. This definition is problematic in that it is vague, and almost all its examples of antisemitism refer to Israel.  This definition is being championed by groups who oppose Palestinian self-determination and has been wielded as a weapon seeking to chill critique of Israel’s policies. Its use in this way has been widely opposed, including by human rights groups, international law experts and one of the drafters himself.

Liberal/National

The then Education Minister Alan Tudge began championing the formal adoption of the IHRA definition in September 2021, and in October 2021 the Prime Minister made a video address stating “My government pledges to embrace the definition of antisemitism adopted by the IHRA. Australia does so as a people, and as a nation”.

Australian Labor Party

Labor leaders have indicated in conversations with Jewish groups that they support the IHRA definition of antisemitism. 

Australian Greens

The Australian Greens have released a detailed policy where they indicate that they support alternative ways to oppose antisemitism.

Because Palestinians do not have self-determination, aid is vital for many Palestinians to receive basic necessities of life, including health and education services. Aid can be delivered bilaterally to the Palestinian Authority (through the World Bank), through partnerships with UN bodies, and in partnerships with Australian aid and development groups. 

Liberal/National

The Coalition Government has consistently undermined Australian aid to Palestinians, and framed aid in terms of Australian interests. In 2018 they ceased funding the Palestinian Authority (through World Bank); in 2020 they halved funding to UNRWA (the main UN body providing basic services to Palestinian refugees); and ceased the major partnership agreement with Australian Aid Agencies.  They also suspended funding to two major aid agencies, following spurious accusations against them. 

Australian Labor Party

The ALP platform states it will have an aid program underpinned by human rights and generosity, as well as Australian interests.  It commits to increasing aid funding annually, to a minimum of 0.5% GNI. In 2018 Labor committed to increasing UNRWA funding by $20 million per year, to a level of $40million per year. This rating is contingent on this commitment being brought forward to 2022. 

Australian Greens

The Greens have an overall policy of Australian aid being a response to global injustices and in respect of human rights. They pledge to increase overseas aid to a minimum of 0.7% of GNI. In 2018, the Greens committed to increasing UNRWA funding by $20 million per year, to a level of $40million per year. This rating is contingent on this commitment being brought forward to 2022.

Australia was one of the first State Parties to the International Criminal Court (ICC), and Palestine joined in 2015. The International Criminal Court has been examining possible crimes committed, by any party, in Palestine.  They began their formal investigations in 2019. 

Liberal/National

The Coalition Government has consistently and actively undermined the ICC investigation into crimes committed in Palestine. In February 2021 the Foreign Minister declared Australia has “deep concerns” with the court deciding to pursue investigations saying that Australia doesn’t recognise Palestine and therefore their capacity to seek justice through the ICC.

Australian Labor Party

Labor has indicated that they oppose Australia’s interference in the ICC processes, though they haven’t announced this publicly. In Senate Estimates in March 2020, Senator Wong asked where these crimes would be prosecuted if we didn’t support the ICC investigation.  In a letter to constituents, in August 2020 Senator Penny Wong stated “Labor is concerned about the Australian Government’s decision to provide observations, alongside several other countries, regarding the ICC’s ability to investigate alleged war crimes in the Palestinian Territories, which would appear to favour the legal position advocated by Israel”.

Australian Greens

The Australian Greens have publicly welcomed investigations by the ICC, and opposed the Australian Government’s position, stating “It’s shameful that Australia lined up with just a handful of countries to try to deny the Palestinian people recourse through international institutions like the ICC”.

Israel has been informally annexing land in the West Bank since 1967, through settlements, the separation wall, and other Israeli infrastructure. In 2019, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced a policy to annex all illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank, as well as all the Jordan valley – over a third of the entire West Bank.  Condemnation internationally was loud and strong, with the UN Secretary General stating: “If implemented, annexation would constitute a most serious violation of international law, grievously harm the prospect of a two-State solution and undercut the possibilities of a renewal of negotiations. I call on the Israeli Government to abandon its annexation plans.”

Liberal/National

The Australian Foreign Minister’s Statement on 1 July 2020 was one of the latest, and most gentle of rebukes to Israel’s planned annexations, stating “we are following with concern possible moves towards the unilateral annexation or change in status of territory on the West Bank”. They indicated they had raised these concerns with Israel. 

Australian Labor Party

Labor was delayed in its condemnation of Israel’s annexation plans, but was strong in words, the Shadow Foreign Minister Stated statement and a tweet “Annexation of any part of the West Bank will weaken the viability of any future Palestinian state, undermine the prospect of a two-state solution, violate international law and risk destabilising Israel’s neighbours, which the world cannot afford.”  In July 2021 in a Zoom meeting with Jewish leaders, Labor Leader Anthony Albanese said Annexation was less likely and that “this a good thing”.

Australian Greens

Greens Leader Adam Bandt spoke swiftly and strongly against Annexation plans, and in a statement on 26 June said “There has never been a more critical time for the Australian Government to speak against this gross breach of international law”.

In 1967, Israel took unilateral control over the entirety of the city of Jerusalem, and has subsequently illegally annexed it. While Israel asserts that Jerusalem exclusively belongs to Israel, annually a UN General Assembly resolution calls it to withdraw from East Jerusalem. Until recent years, no country had Embassies in Jerusalem, to respect that the Status of Jerusalem is to be negotiated as part of a settlement.

Liberal/National

In October 2018 the Prime Minister announced he was considering moving Australia’s Embassy to Jerusalem. In December 2018, the Prime Minister indicated he identifies West Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, and indicated Palestinians have ‘aspirations’ to East Jerusalem. Australia subsequently opened a Trade and Defence office in West Jerusalem. In 2018, for the first time ever, Australia voted against a UN General Assembly resolution which reaffirms UN Security Council resolutions on the illegality of Israeli jurisdiction in occupied East Jerusalem and censures the siting of embassies in Jerusalem.

Australian Labor Party

In a statement in December 2018, the Shadow Foreign Minister stated that “Labor does not support unilateral recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel on the grounds that this is a final status issue that should be resolved as part of any peace negotiations and two-state solution. We will not support any policy that undermines the prospect of a two-state solution which recognises Israel’s right to exist within secure and recognised boundaries and the creation of a Palestinian state”.

Australian Greens

The Australian Greens policy seeks to work for a viable Palestinian State with Israel and Jerusalem sharing Jerusalem as their capital.

Liberal/National

Coalition Government spokespeople talk about both parties returning to negotiations for a “just, durable, and resilient peace agreement” but this doesn’t ever explicitly include the rights of Palestinians to self-determination.

Australian Labor Party

In a statement in December 2018, Shadow Foreign Minister stated that “We will not support any policy that undermines the prospect of a two-state solution which recognises Israel’s right to exist within secure and recognised boundaries and the creation of a Palestinian state”.

Australian Greens

Australian Greens policy begins by stating they “support the legitimate rights and aspirations of the Palestinian people to live in peace and security in their own independent, sovereign state, and continues that the Greens will work for “the establishment of a secure and viable state of Palestine alongside Israel.

In May 2021, Israel threatened mass expulsion of Palestinians from their homes in the Sheikh Jarrah Neighbourhood of Occupied East Jerusalem; attacked worshippers in the Al Aqsa Mosque, and then launched a massive military offensive in Gaza. Israeli airstrikes demolished or damaged 18 buildings including four high rise towers, 40 schools and 4 hospitals, and damaged 19 medical facilities. In just 10 days, 256 Palestinians were killed, including 66 children. 13 Israelis were also killed, including 2 children. 

Liberal/National Party

The Foreign Minister made a public statement on the 12 May where she condemned ‘all violence’ seemingly to equate the Israeli military actions with the Palestinian response. Despite the overwhelming casualties being Palestinian, she condemned Palestinian rockets first. The statement did condemn Israeli land appropriations, forced evictions, demolitions and settlements.

The Foreign Minister gave a radio interview on 2GB on 18 May where she again gave false equivalence to the actions of all parties.  She stated that “Israel unquestionably has a right to defend itself and its people in accordance with international law”, but did not indicate that their actions were being condemned internationally for being grossly disproportionate. She indicated “we wish to see people in the Palestinian territories able to live peacefully” but did not reference Palestinian rights to defend themselves, nor their rights to live with self-determination. 

Australian Labor Party

The commentary of the Shadow Foreign Minister mirrored almost completely that of the Foreign Minister.

In a statement on the 13th May 2021, Senator Wong called for an end to all escalations, echoing the Foreign Minister’s false equivalence. Her statement first called for a halt to Israeli actions -  land appropriations, forced evictions, demolitions & settlements, and then condemned rockets attacks on civilians.

In both this statement and a Tweet, on 11 May 2021 Senator Wong recognised the rights of Palestinians to live in secure and recognised borders. 

In an ABC interview  Senator Wong was asked directly whether Israel’s use of force was proportionate in Gaza, but would not answer the question. 

Australian Greens

In statements by both the Leader and Foreign Affairs spokesperson, the Greens consistently acknowledged the asymmetry of power between Israel and Palestinians and the subsequent vast difference between the losses between Israelis and Palestinians. The statements also placed the escalation in May 2021 in the context of the violence of Israel’s ongoing occupation of Palestine and the siege of Gaza. 

Liberal/National

The Minister for Foreign Affairs has not accepted any request to meet from the Australia Palestine Advocacy Network since her appointment, despite many requests. APAN has met with her senior advisor. APAN has also sought meetings with the Minister for Trade, the Attorney General and the Minister for Home Affairs when Palestine matters arose in their portfolios, and only meetings with officials in the Departments were offered. 

Australian Labor Party

APAN has met with the Leader of the Opposition and the Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs this term, as well as with their relevant advisors. Senior members of the Shadow Cabinet have met with APAN when requested. 

Australian Greens

APAN has met with the Leader of the Australian Greens, the Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs and spokespeople for other portfolios when requested.