Australia–Palestine relations

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Australian–Palestinian relations
Map indicating locations of Australia and Palestine

Australia
Palestine

Australia–Palestine relations refer to foreign relations between Australia and the State of Palestine.[1] Australia does not recognise the State of Palestine but does support a two state solution.[2][3]

Australia has a representative office in Ramallah, West Bank.[2]

History

The Australia–Palestine relationship started in 1982 with the establishment of a Palestinian information office in Australia at Canberra.[citation needed] Australia established a representative office in Ramallah in September 2000.[2]

In 2012 Australia voted for making Palestine a Non-Member Observer State in the United Nations.[4]

Riad Malki, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Palestine visited Australia in 2015.[5] Tony Abbott withdrew Australian opposition to Israeli settlements in the West Bank and Malcolm Turnbull criticised United Nations resolutions against settlement activities.[citation needed] In 2018 Australia recognised Jerusalem as the capital of Israel after Guatemala and the United States.[citation needed]

In 2021 the Australian Labor Party incorporated Palestinian Statehood in its election platform.[citation needed] From 2022 to 2023 Australia provided US$11.0 million to the Palestinian territories and US$12.9 million to United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East.[citation needed] In October 2022 the Australian government under Anthony Albanese reversed the recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and restarted using the term Occupied Palestinian Territories.[6] It also confirmed that the Australian embassy to Israel will remain in Jerusalem.[7] This move was criticised by representatives of the Australian Jewish community, including the Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council, but welcomed by the Palestinian community and Mohammed Shtayyeh, Prime Minister of Palestine.[8][9] It was also criticised by Peter Dutton, leader of opposition, Zionist Federation of Australia, Executive Council of Australian Jewry, and the government of Israel.[10] It marked a "modest" change in the Australian government's policy towards Palestine under the Australian Labor Party.[11] The majority of Australians support the establishment of a Palestinian State according to a 2022 poll.[citation needed][12]

During the 2023 Israel–Hamas war a poll by the Guardian Essential found Australians wanted their government to provide aid to the Palestinians.[13] The Australian government defended Israel's right to defend itself and retaliate.[14] It called for the release of hostages taken by Hamas.[15] Gareth Evans, and Bob Carr have called on Australia to recognise Palestine.[16] Palestine Action Group organised protests against the war in Australia.[17] The Palestinian Authority was critical of the Australian government's response to the conflict.[18]

Some Aboriginal Australians sympathize with Palestinians due to perceived historical parallels [19]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Australia's Israel-Palestine conflict | Lowy Institute". www.lowyinstitute.org. Retrieved 2023-12-25.
  2. ^ a b c "Occupied Palestinian Territories". Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  3. ^ "Examining Australia's Relations with the Middle East". Australian Institute of International Affairs. Retrieved 2023-12-25.
  4. ^ "General Assembly Votes Overwhelmingly to Accord Palestine 'Non-Member Observer State' Status in United Nations | UN Press". press.un.org. Retrieved 2023-12-30.
  5. ^ "Palestinian Authority Urges Australia to Restore 'Balance' to Mideast Policy". Haaretz. Retrieved 2023-12-30.
  6. ^ "Referring to Palestinian Territories". www.aph.gov.au. Retrieved 2023-12-25.
  7. ^ "Australia reverses recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2023-12-25.
  8. ^ Shanahan, Rodger (2023-08-09). "Australian politics and the Israeli–Palestinian issue". The Strategist. Retrieved 2023-12-25.
  9. ^ "Australia reverses decision to recognise West Jerusalem as Israeli capital". 2022-10-18. Retrieved 2023-12-25.
  10. ^ Knott, Matthew (2023-08-09). "Palestine leaps upon 'occupied' shift, urges full recognition of statehood". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2023-12-25.
  11. ^ Langlois, Alexander (2023-10-04). "Labor modestly shifts australia's palestine policy". Near East Policy Forum. Retrieved 2023-12-25.
  12. ^ Loewenstein, Antony (2022-11-11). "Australian Jews are changing their views on Israel. And they need a new voice". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2023-12-25.
  13. ^ Karp, Paul (2023-11-13). "More Australians support providing assistance to Palestine than Israel in Gaza conflict, Essential poll finds". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2023-12-25.
  14. ^ "Australia Defends Israel's Right to Retaliate After Hamas Attacks". Voice of America. 2023-10-10. Retrieved 2023-12-25.
  15. ^ "Press Conference Adelaide". Minister for Foreign Affairs. 22 November 2023. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  16. ^ "There is no legal impediment to Australia's recognition of Palestine". ABC Religion & Ethics. 2023-08-02. Retrieved 2023-12-25.
  17. ^ "Thousands in Australia join pro-Palestinian march over Gaza". Reuters. 21 October 2023. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  18. ^ Fellner, Natassia Chrysanthos, Carrie (2023-10-08). "Australia's response to Hamas attacks disappointing, says Palestinian Authority". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2023-12-25.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  19. ^ "Statement in solidarity with the people of Palestine".
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