Rudd mum on Bibi’s plans
FOREIGN Minister Kevin Rudd has said he will not disclose any details of his conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, held last Sunday in Jerusalem.
FOREIGN Minister Kevin Rudd has said he will not disclose any details of his conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, held last Sunday in Jerusalem.
Rumours abound that Netanyahu will unveil a new peace attempt in coming weeks, but asked by a journalist whether he has noticed any changes in the Israeli position since his last trip three months ago, Rudd replied: “My conversations with the Israeli Prime Minister always have, and will in the future, be confidential.”
He would not even answer questions about whether settlements – the sticking point from the last round of negotiations – were discussed. Instead he issued a generic position on Jewish construction in the West Bank.
“Of course, the wider question of settlements is a continuing issue in the international debate,” he said.
Rudd was asked whether he supports an idea, suggested by Netanyahu’s office, for an interim Palestinian state.
“At present, of course, there is no detail surrounding (a) the inevitability of such a plan, and (b) its content,” he replied. “Our response in Australia is always take things step-by-step, see what comes out.”
Rudd undertook a flying visit to the area as part of a much bigger overseas tour. During the trip, he met with Netanyahu, Israel’s Defence Minister Ehud Barak, Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman and Opposition Leader Tzipi Livni. He also spoke with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Palestinian Prime Minister Salaam Fayad and Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Malki.
Following his meetings, Rudd said the current unstable situation in many Arab countries would influence the stagnant Israeli-Palestinian peace process. “The large-scale political changes currently underway in the Middle East underline the importance of action to bring about a comprehensive peace settlement,” he said.
“These movements, these political movements across the region, add to the urgency of reaching an outcome, they do not argue in favour of deferral of an outcome.”
He noted Netanyahu’s task had altered since Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak was overthrown; people power changed the government in Tunisia; and flashpoints continue to boil, not least in Libya and Yemen.
“The Israeli Prime Minister is dealing with challenges which he now confronts, given the large-scale political changes which have already occurred in Egypt, and also broader and continuing threats to this country’s security from Iran.”
He added that Australia would continue to encourage all relevant parties to support the peace process.
NAOMI LEVIN
Image: Kevin Rudd (left) and Binyamin Netanyahu on Sunday. Photo: Mati Millstein
comments