The Zionist Federation of Australia notes that the ALP national conference has not resulted in a change in ALP policy in relation to recognition of Palestine.
ZFA President Jeremy Leibler said: “While we remain concerned about recent changes in the Government’s policy in relation to Israel, we acknowledge that the national conference has not resulted in any further adverse change to Labor’s position on recognition of Palestine.”
Mr Leibler continued, “Foreign Minister Penny Wong has said on numerous occasions that Australia’s foreign policy including any decision to recognise Palestine is a matter for the government, and not a party conference. We also note Senator Wong’s repeated comments that the government would not take unilateral positions on final status issues, and we expect the government to remain consistent in this regard.”
Mr Leibler concluded, “We hope that the Labor leadership understands that premature recognition of a non-existent Palestinian state with corrupt leadership and no defined borders would damage Australia’s foreign policy credibility and be counterproductive to any prospect of a negotiated two state solution.”
