Vanguard News Network
VNN Media
VNN Digital Library
VNN Reader Mail
VNN Broadcasts

Old January 2nd, 2017 #1
NewsFeed
News Bot
 
Post Australia breaks with New Zealand over support for Israel - Australian Herald

Australia breaks with New Zealand over support for Israel

Australian Herald Friday 30th December, 2016

CANBERRA, Australia - Australia, has sided with Israel in its battle with the rest of the world over its settlements policy.

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has told the Rupert Murdoch-owned The Australian newspaper, her country would not have supported the United Nations Security Council resolution condemning the continuing expansion of Israeli settlements.

Her statement Thursday puts Australia in the crosshairs of international criticism as it is the only country in the world that has pledged its support to the Jewish state over its settlement activities.

Even the United States abstained from voting on the resolution which has sweeping ramifications, likely to be felt for years to come.

Australia, in its stand, also puts it at odds with its neighbour New Zealand, which joined with three other countries to promote the resolution, after Egypt caved in to pressure from Israel and the Trump organization.

Bishop's counterpart Murray McCully in fact is being lauded around the world for having the 'guts' to take on Israel. He was rewarded by votes in favour of the resolution by Great Britain, France, China and Russia as well as all the rotating countries on the Council, all of which supported the initiative. The only abstention was the United States which ironically has attracted the most criticism from Israel and Trump, who was opposed to the passage of the resolution.

Australia's stance, while surprising is not unprecedented. While the international community rejected the need for the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, Australia joined Great Britain in participating in that invasion, despite widespread protests by the public in both countries. On that occasion it was stated that Australia was simply supporting its ally, the United States.

According to the Murdoch press, Bishop said her government is “firmly committed to a two-state solution.” Australia would not have supported the resolution however, Bishop said.

“Australia is not currently a member of the UN Security Council and therefore not ­eligible to vote on UNSC resolutions,” she said.

“In voting at the UN, the ­(Australian) Coalition government has consistently not supported one-sided resolutions targeting Israel.”

The Australian foreign minister was in Israel on an official visit 3 months ago. Current Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will be visiting Australia in February, provided he does not step down in the wake of a criminal investigation which was opened against him on Thursday.

The Rupert Murdoch-controlled news media in Australia on Thursday was also continuing its attack on the UN Security Council move last week. Rowan Dean. who writes for the Australian Financial Review and The Spectator, of which he is the Australian editor, blasted New Zealand for its role in the UN resolution on Thursday, in a piece in News Corp newspapers.

"You know you’re in

----- snip -----


read full article at source: http://www.australianherald.com/index.php/sid/250532289
 
Reply

Share


Thread
Display Modes


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:13 PM.
Page generated in 1.80145 seconds.