The Zionist Federation of Australia (ZFA) reaffirms its position that unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state is counterproductive to bringing about a two state solution and peaceful resolution to the Israel-Palestinian conflict. The resolution ultimately adopted at the Australian Labor Party’s National Conference in December 2018 to seek unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state was disappointing, notwithstanding that the resolution was not binding on a future Labor Government and deferred the decision to recognise a Palestinian state to a future Labor Cabinet.
ZFA President Jeremy Leibler said, “Anthony Albanese and Penny Wong have previously called on both Israel and the Palestinians to reject any unilateral steps. Accordingly, any recognition by a future Labor Government of the Palestinian unilateral declaration of statehood, which attempts to bypass negotiations, is fundamentally inconsistent with this position”.
Mr Leibler added, “In the last 12 months, we have witnessed historic normalisation agreements between Israel and its Arab neighbours, demonstrating that peace is possible if there are two willing parties prepared to sit down and negotiate. The only path to peace is for the Palestinian leadership and Israeli Government to resume negotiations in good faith. Recognition of a Palestinian state in the absence of negotiations imposes pressure only on Israel and discourages both parties from making any compromises”.
“We acknowledge comments made by Shadow Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong, which reinforced the ALP’s long-term commitment to a two-state solution and support for Israel’s right to exist within secure and recognised borders.”
