Gillard looks to Israel visit

 

AJN STAFF

DEPUTY Prime Minister Julia Gillard has spoken of her excitement at visiting Israel later this month when she leads the¬† Australian delegation at the inaugural Australia Israel Leadership Forum.¬†Amid calls from the Palestinian lobby to withdraw from the trip, Gillard affirmed that the trip was in keeping with Australia’s support for a two-state solution to the Mid-East conflict.

Speaking at an Australia-Israel Chamber of Commerce lunch in Sydney on Thursday, Gillard said that a “just and lasting peace” depended on a two-state solution.¬†”I intend to reaffirm Australia’s ongoing support for Israel’s right to live in peace and security within defined borders,” she said.

“I plan to visit Ramallah, on the West Bank and to meet leaders of the Palestinian Authority there.¬†”The Australian Government supports reform and institution-building in the Palestinian Territories, which is in the interests of Israel and the Palestinians.”¬†Gillard, who will be visiting Israel for the second time, said she believed the recent Cairo address from United States President Barack Obama had renewed the world’s belief that an agreement could be reached between Israel and the Palestinians.

“President Obama’s Cairo speech was an important and positive intervention. He reminded us that we share a responsibility across the world to strive for peace and for mutual respect between nations and cultures,” she said.¬†”A new American leadership, a new Israeli Government and a new period of cooperation in international affairs provide us with a fresh opportunity to seek peace and shared prosperity in our time.¬†

“That is an opportunity that I am sure all of us wish to take.”¬†The Australian delegation will feature people from the political, business and cultural spheres and Gillard said she was looking forward to lively and engaging debate.¬†”I know from my previous visit the intensity and diversity of Israel’s people, how their situation encourages innovation, commitment and lively democratic discussion of the issues facing the country and the world,” she said.¬†”Israel is a country with much to teach us on issues such as scientific innovation and education and with much that we can share in addressing challenges like climate change and water security.”