Elections in Israel
Foreign Minister Bob Carr today urged the incoming government of Israel to accord a high priority to the resumption without preconditions, of direct negotiations with the Palestinian people on a two-state solution.
“Israel’s national elections reflect its proud democratic tradition,” Senator Carr said.
“While a new coalition government has yet to be formed, Australia looks forward to continued close cooperation with Israel including on issues of regional peace and security.
“Australia strongly supports a negotiated two-state solution resulting in a secure Israel alongside a Palestinian state.
“There is an urgent need for progress in this peace process.
“Resolution of the Israel- Palestinian conflict would also strengthen the forces of democracy and moderation throughout the Middle East.”
Senator Carr’s comments follow a joint Australia-United Kingdom communique on January 18 which:
• called on the United States to lead a major effort in 2013 to achieve a negotiated two-state solution with a secure Israel alongside a Palestinian state;
• called on the Palestinian Authority and the new Israeli government “to engage seriously in negotiations without preconditions”;
• said “actions by both sides must be in the interests of peace”;
• called on the Palestinian Authority “to exercise restraint and avoid provocative actions at international forums” following the Palestinian status vote in the United Nations;
• urged the Palestinians “to resolve their internal differences, unite for peace and cease acts of violence against Israel”;
• called for the Palestinians “to abide by the terms of the Gaza ceasefire and to stop all rocket attacks”; and
• called on Israel to stop settlement activity.
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Curiously, Bob, you appear to be the only person still believing in the so-called ‘two-state’ solution for Occupied Palestine. Realists on the ground in the Occupied Territory are focussing on a one-state, bi-national, non-apartheid approach. I think, Bob, you’d be better occupied persuading the Israelis that looming demographics will provide the ultimate ‘solution’: Non-Jews are increasing their population numbers faster than are Jews.
Thank you for sharing this significant article. I appreciate that the Australians support the two-states solution, which to me is the only viable option for a final peace.
I do not count on the US for this purpose since Jewish lobby there is powerful, therefore highly unlikely to allow a not-so-nationalistic support. But I do believe that: if the US press on the strings a bit on a weakened Netanyahu, they may actually achieve some good results.
Australia is the only place where you’ll still hear the so-called ‘two-state’ non-solution fantasised about. Realists on the ground in Occupied Palestine discuss a one-state, bi-national, non-apartheid approach. They believe that justice must come before peace.
What “realists” call for the end of the Jewish state?? If Israel and Palestine can’t live beside each other in peace, does anyone seriously believe throwing them together in a new country will be anything but a catastrophic civil war?
It appears frustation with achieving a two-state solution is leading people on both sides to claim more extreme “solutions”.