Australia has split with the US and voted with 156 other countries at the United Nations to demand the end of Israel’s “unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory as rapidly as possible”.
The vote marks Australia’s return to the position for the first time in more than two decades.
A total of 157 UN member countries, including Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom, voted to support the resolution. Eight, including Argentina, Israel and the US, voted against it. Seven others abstained.
James Larsen, Australia’s ambassador to the UN, said Australia would support the resolution, titled the “Peaceful settlement of the question of Palestine”, for the first time since 2001 to reflect a desire for international “momentum” towards achieving a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine.
“A two-state solution remains the only hope of breaking the endless cycle of violence, the only hope to see a secure and prosperous future for both peoples,” he told the general assembly meeting.
The resolution demands Israel “comply strictly with its obligations under international law”, referring to an international court of justice ruling in July this year which ordered Israel to end its occupation. It also rejects any attempt by Israel at “demographic or territorial change” in the Gaza strip.
It also supports plans for a 2025 high-level international conference aimed at devising and implementing a two-state solution.
A spokesperson for the foreign affairs minister, Penny Wong, said while Australia was a “constructive middle power”, it looked to achieve the best outcomes possible at the UN.
“We don’t always get everything we want. But if, on balance, we believe the resolution will contribute to peace and a two-state solution, we will vote for it,” the spokesperson said.
“On our own, Australia has few ways to move the dial in the Middle East. Our only hope is working within the international community to push for an end to the cycle of violence and work toward a two-state solution.”
In another major shift on Australia’s voting record on the issue in the UN, Australia abstained on a resolution relating to resources given to an office for Palestinian rights within the UN.
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Australia has voted against the resolution since 2003.
Larsen said Australia could not move beyond an abstention due to the resolution devoting too many resources to a “one-sided perspective” of the conflict.
“UN divisions, such as this one, must do better,” Larsen said.
“They must offer constructive advice and support to the international community to work together to pave a path to lasting peace, because any lasting solution to the Middle East conflict cannot be at the expense of either Palestinians or Israelis.”
In November, the Albanese government’s toughening stance on Israel resulted in backing two draft UN resolutions – one on the “permanent sovereignty” of Palestinians and the other demanding Israel take responsibility and provide compensation to Lebanon for its role in a 2006 oil spill, which covered large portions of the country’s coastline along with neighbouring countries.
Months earlier, Australia supported a UN vote on Palestinian membership to the assembly. Wong said the vote was about awarding “modest additional rights to participate in United Nations forums”, and that Australia would only recognise Palestine “when we think the time is right”.
