Two former Liberal prime ministers have led the rebellion against Australia’s vote to allow Palestine to join the United Nations, saying it “rewards terrorists.”
Australia has joined 142 other countries in supporting a UN resolution to grant Palestine greater rights as an observer state.
The non-binding resolution recommends that the UN Security Council “favorably” reconsider Palestine and seek full membership after the US vetoed a similar resolution.
The vote “looks like a reward for the atrocity of October 7,” Tony Abbott wrote on X, referring to the day Hamas terrorists killed 1,200 people and took 250 hostages in Israel.
Scott Morrison was also outraged, tweeting: “This is the most hostile policy act by an Australian government towards the State of Israel in our history.
Two former Liberal prime ministers have led the rebellion against Australia’s vote to allow Palestine to join the United Nations, saying it “rewards terrorists.” Tony Abbott (left) is pictured with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
‘Such recognition should only take place if there is agreement and if Palestine can be a functional state. It is currently ruled by terrorists,” referring to Hamas.
Federal Labor MP Josh Burns slammed the government he is part of, saying his vote at the UN will isolate Jewish Australians who have faced increasing acts of anti-Semitism since the war in Gaza began following the October 7 atrocities.
“Hamas still holds 130 hostages and remains the governing authority in Gaza,” he said on Instagram.
“The reaction of the Jewish people will rightly question the timing of this vote.
“Anti-Semitism is on the rise in Australia and the decision (to vote yes at the UN) will leave Jewish Australians feeling more isolated as they remain deeply concerned about the hostages in Gaza.”
The vote offers a modest expansion of Palestine’s observer rights while rejecting Hamas’s aims and methods, condemning the October 7 attack and calling for the release of hostages, Australian UN representative James Larsen said.
“Australia has long believed that a two-state solution offers the only hope of breaking the endless cycle of violence and achieving lasting peace,” he said.
“Australia, like many member states, is frustrated by the lack of progress.”
The US joined Israel and seven other countries in voting against the draft resolution, while 25 others abstained.
China said the resolution reflected the will of the international community and accused the US of abusing its veto power.
Scott Morrison (pictured) said: ‘This is the most hostile policy act by an Australian government towards the State of Israel in our history’
The general meeting has been suspended and will meet again on Monday in New York.
Palestine’s status improvements won’t take effect until September.
Opposition foreign affairs spokesman Simon Birmingham accused the government of lacking courage under pressure.
“Labour’s support for the resolution sends a shameful message that violence and terrorism get results, before negotiations and diplomacy,” he said on Saturday.
By voting in favor of the resolution, Australia was out of step with key allies who abstained or rejected the resolution, and risked emboldening terrorists, Birmingham said.
Amir Maimon, Israel’s ambassador to Australia, said the vote would allow Iran and Hamas to further destabilize the region.
“Granting rights to the Palestinian UN without direct negotiations is counterproductive,” he wrote on X.
Palestine is pushing for full UN membership as the war rages in the Gaza Strip and the US and allies call for a two-state solution to the decades-long conflict with Israel.
The representative of Palestine to Australia said supporting the vote contributed to Australia’s credibility on the international stage and was in line with its policy of eventually recognizing the state.
The vote came amid international condemnation as Israel pushes further into Rafah, Gaza’s last refuge where more than a million Palestinians are sheltering after the strip’s widespread destruction.
Federal Labor MP Josh Burns (pictured speaking in Parliament) criticized the government he is part of
US President Joe Biden has threatened to halt arms exports to Israel if the country goes ahead with a full-scale invasion of Rafah, while Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Foreign Minister Penny Wong expressed concern about the humanitarian situation.
Australia has called for a ceasefire to allow the release of hostages and the unhindered flow of aid to Gaza.
After Hamas, designated a terrorist group by Australia, invaded Israel on October 7, the Israelis responded with a ground offensive and bombing of Gaza.
About 35,000 people have been killed and 77,000 injured in the area in the past seven months, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry.