Labor forsakes Israel yet again

The Albanese government is moving to abandon Israel, voting at the UN for an “irreversible pathway” to a Palestinian state. Australia’s ambassador and permanent representative to the UN, James Larsen, says this returns our country to the position it held before 2001. But times changed when Israel was attacked from Gaza. A two-state solution is impossible until Iran disbands its Hezbollah and Hamas terror armies.

In September, Foreign Minister Penny Wong told the UN that Australia supported the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination. But “there can be no role for terrorists – a Palestinian state cannot threaten Israel’s security,” she said. Now Mr Larsen states: “Our position does not prejudge Australia’s position on final status issues.” Except it does. However, many wars of national survival Israel is forced to fight, Senator Wong now requires it to accept an “irreversible pathway”, whatever obstacles to Israel’s survival the UN builds on it. This is such a reversal of previous bipartisan support for Israel by the parties of government that Anthony Albanese should thoroughly have made the case before committing the country at the UN.

If this is not about the coming election, the Prime Minister and his ministers should explain why policy has changed. The government clearly is looking to protect inner-city marginal electorates from the Greens, whose opportunist enmity for Israel is boundless, as well as suburban seats with large Muslim communities. Industry and Science Minister Ed Husic lifted the lid on what occurred when he spoke on Monday of “the most recent efforts we have made in terms of Palestinian sovereignty … We are trying to make sure that Australia’s voice is heard in the international arena on this issue.” Not Australia’s voice – that of a government desperate to stay in office.