Andrew Bolt: PM Anthony Albanese ignores broken promises after recognising Palestinian state
Anthony Albanese’s excuse for recognising a Palestinian state was because ‘commitments’ were made by its president to demilitarise and hold general elections. Almost four months later, no promises have been kept and none of it has caused a ripple with Labor.
The Albanese Government seems to treat world issues only as part of its battle for political power at home.
The latest example of that has just blown up in the face of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
Four months ago, Albanese announced – ta daah! – he was recognising a Palestinian state.
Never mind that this state had no agreed capital or borders, and was ruled in one half by Hamas terrorists and in the other by a Palestinian Authority so unpopular that its president, Mahmoud Abbas, hadn’t held an election in 19 years.
What really counted was Labor pleasing Muslim voters and its hard Left.
Albanese’s excuse was that this was a “practical” step to peace, because Abbas had made him “commitments” – to “demilitarise and to hold general elections”, which Abbas earlier promised to hold by year’s end.
What’s more, Abbas had “pledged to abolish the system of payments to the families of prisoners and martyrs” – his notorious “pay for slay” policy to reward terrorists jailed or killed after attacking Israelis, worth some $50 million a month.
Well, we’re nearing the year’s end, and not one of those promises has been kept. There are no elections, and no “demilitarisation”. And now the European Commission last week said Abbas has broken his promise to end “pay for slay” payments.
Naturally, none of this has caused a ripple with Labor.
Similarly, the government ignores how the rest of the world is backing off its beloved net zero policies.
But most alarming is that a looming war with China also doesn’t seem to register.
Chinese president Xi Jinping repeatedly orders his military to prepare for war to seize democratic Taiwan, and told US president Donald Trump this month a China-controlled Taiwan was a key part of the future international order.
When Japan’s prime minister warned that Japan could defend Taiwan, China threatened to cut Japan’s “dirty neck” and “split open” its head.
Taiwan’s president is so alarmed that he last week announced an extra $60 billion in its defence budget, and Japan likewise promised record spending.
But in Australia, it’s as if these preparations for war don’t count. Our government, keen to woo the votes of the 1.3 million Australians of Chinese background, avoids criticising the communist giant. Our defence spending barely shifts.
The world seems to exists as only a prop for battles against the Liberals. The country sleeps, as storm clouds gather.
Originally published as Andrew Bolt: PM Anthony Albanese ignores broken promises after recognising Palestinian state
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