ALP firm on Israel despite Greens deal
THE Labor Party has insisted its official agreement with The Greens is unlikely to have an impact on its support for Israel.
THE Labor Party has insisted its official agreement with The Greens is unlikely to have an impact on its support for Israel.
Signed last Wednesday afternoon, the document cements a deal for The Greens to vote with the ALP on financial bills and to oppose no confidence motions against Labor.
It also commits Julia Gillard to a weekly policy meeting with The Greens and allows Greens MP Adam Bandt and the party’s senators to propose new policies, with Labor committing to respond within 10 working days.
While both parties believe in a two-state solution to resolve tensions between the Israelis and Palestinians, The Greens’ policy favours a full Israeli withdrawal from the West Bank and the settlements, the dismantling of the security barrier, United Nations sanctions and more aid for the Palestinian people.
In addition, Greens foreign affairs spokesperson Senator Scott Ludlum, in the last parliament, called for a nuclear-free Middle East, including tough action against Iran, and added it was “shameful” Australia had abstained from a United Nations resolution that called on Israel to renounce its alleged nuclear program.
These policies clearly stand in opposition to many of Labor’s historical stances.
A spokesperson for Labor’s Foreign Minister Stephen Smith, however, said the party’s policies would not be changed.
“The Government’s policies are the policies that it took to the election,” the spokesperson said. “Australia’s longstanding support for Israel and for a two-state solution to the conflict in the Middle East will not change.”
She added: “Australia will also continue to stand at the forefront of international community efforts to have Iran meet its international obligations in relation to its nuclear program, one of the most serious security challenges facing the international community.”
Foreign policy adviser to Greens’ leader Bob Brown,¬† Anna Reynolds, said that apart from a commitment to debate Australia’s presence in Afghanistan, she was not aware of any other international issues canvassed in meetings between Labor and The Greens.
Asked whether foreign policy reform is a high priority for The Greens, she said The Greens had no specific plans.
“The Greens will take all its policies into the next parliament to promote them and look for opportunities to have them implemented. This is no different from our normal method of operation in the parliament.”
Meanwhile, in a separate statement, Foreign Minister Smith welcomed Japan’s announcement last week it would increase sanctions against Iran.¬† “Japan’s announcement of new sanctions … demonstrates its continued strong commitment to nuclear disarmament and nuclear non-proliferation and reinforces United Nations Security Council Resolution 1929 on June 29.”
NAOMI LEVIN
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