Australia Backs Palestine

Australia has supported Palestine’s bid to become a full member of the United Nations, splitting with our closest allies and defying the warnings of Israeli leaders in a historic vote.

The UN General Assembly on Friday overwhelmingly backed a resolution that gives Palestine new rights to participate in the body and pushes the UN Security Council to admit it as a full member.

The US voted against the resolution and the UK and Canada abstained. But Australia’s ambassador to the UN James Larsen supported what he described as the “aspiration for full Palestinian membership of the United Nations”.

He said the resolution was “not what we would propose” but offered “unwavering support for the two-state solution of Israel and Palestine living side-by-side in peace and security within recognised borders”.

“Like many other countries, our vote for this resolution is not bilateral recognition of Palestinian statehood,” Mr Larsen said.

“Nevertheless, Australia no longer accepts that recognition can only come at the end of the peace process.”