The Zionist Federation of Australia endorses Australian and British foreign affairs chiefs’ statement of support of a two-state solution, and, consistent with this statement, calls on the Palestinian leadership to return to the negotiating table with Israel rather than continue its unilateral steps in order to avoid dealing with Israel.
The status of Israeli settlements is still to be determined under international law; however, if the Palestinians are prepared to negotiate without preconditions, the settlements will be an issue to be resolved.
Philip Chester
President, Zionist Federation of Australia
Read more reaction from the Australian Jewish community, in the Australian Jewish News and, the Australian and others react in J-Wire.
The Australian Ministers for Foreign Affairs and Defence, Bob Carr and Stephen Smith, and the UK Foreign and Defence Secretaries, William Hague and Philip Hammond, met 18 January for the fifth Australia-UK Ministerial Consultations (AUKMIN).
AUKMIN statement about Israel:
We agreed that there is a particularly urgent need at this time for progress on the Middle East Peace Process. The UK and Australia call on the US to lead a major effort in 2013 to achieve a negotiated two-state solution with a secure Israel alongside a Palestinian state. History has shown that only the US has the influence and capability to bring both sides together. Past progress has only been achieved through US leadership. Strong US engagement is in the interests of Israelis, Palestinians and the wider region. Resolution of the Israeli Palestinian conflict will strengthen the forces of democracy and moderation throughout the Middle East. The Palestinian Authority and the new Israeli government must engage seriously in negotiations without preconditions. Actions by both sides must be in the interests of peace. Neither side should create obstacles to that objective. We call on Israel to stop settlement activity. All settlements are illegal under international law and settlement activity undermines the prospects for peace. Australia and the United Kingdom expressed particular concern regarding the recent settlement announcements of the Israel Government including the proposed development of the E1 area.
Australia and the United Kingdom both voted not to oppose enhanced Palestinian status in the United Nations. We call on the Palestinian Authority to exercise restraint and avoid provocative actions at international forums. Australia and the United Kingdom urge the Palestinians to resolve their internal differences, unite for peace and cease acts of violence against Israel. In particular, we call for the Palestinians to abide by the terms of the Gaza ceasefire and to stop all rocket attacks.
The Zionist Federation of Australia endorses FM Bob Carr’s reiteration of the Australian government’s support of a two-state solution, and it fully agrees that direct negotiations are absolutely necessary to make progress towards peace. Indeed Israeli PM Netanyahu’s offer to elevate the negotiations to direct talks between himself and Palestinian President Abbas, having made the significant concession of not insisting on Palestinian recognition of Israel as a Jewish state, underscores Israel’s commitment to progressing the process.
We believe that FM Carr’s focus on the issue of the settlements as an obstacle to peace distracts from the real issues which have precluded agreements to date – i.e. the unwillingness of the Palestinian Authority to enter into negotiations, coupled with ongoing Palestinian attacks on Israeli citizens and the promulgation of hatred in Palestinian education and media.
FM Carr noted correctly that trust and confidence are necessary for progress. Indeed these can only be built in the absence of hatred, and will be eroded by rocket fire from Gaza and violent attacks by Palestinians on Israel and its citizens.
The determination of borders, settlements and other final status issues are core to the peace process and can only be resolved as an outcome of the negotiations. Predetermined outcomes on these issues cannot, therefore, be preconditions to the negotiations.
From the early and optimistic Oslo process, through subsequent summits and meetings, Israel has always been and remains willing to negotiate for peace. The Israeli government and people are committed to achieving peace with their Palestinian neighbours. It is hoped that President Abbas will take up the offer of direct negotiations, without preconditions, as a first and important step towards peace.
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