Rudd tells Arabs we’re sticking with Israel

FOREIGN Minister Kevin Rudd confirmed Australia would not be sacrificing its strong ties with Israel, in talks with the Arab League Secretary-General.

Meeting on the fringes of the United Nations General Assembly, Rudd spoke with Amre Moussa.

According to a spokesperson for Rudd, the new Foreign Minister discussed the peace process, and “Rudd underlined that Australia had a strong relationship with Israel, which Mr Moussa said he understood”.

The former prime minister also emphasised he was “deeply committed” to the Middle East peace process.

In line with the spirit of last week’s UN meeting, which focused on development targets to lift the living standards of the world’s poor, Rudd added that Australia’s development assistance was growing “and that he expected that to be reflected in the assistance provided in the Palestinian Authority”.

During the term of the Rudd-led government, Australia was generous in providing assistance to the Palestinian people. In 2008, the government pledged $45 million to help both the Palestinian Authority government and to provide aid to the Palestinian people.

Rudd also acknowledged that Australia’s relationship with the Arab League was growing. This, his spokesperson said, was acknowledged in the recent visit by Moussa’s chief-of-staff to Australia.

While prime minister, Rudd was accused of sacrificing Australia’s longstanding bipartisan support for Israel by enticing Arab and African states to support the country’s bid for a seat on the UN Security Council. It was an accusation Rudd always rejected.

Last week, he admitted winning the seat would be a tough ask, but he was not going to back down. “We are putting our best foot forward,” Rudd said. “This involves a whole lot of lobbying around the world, for which the Australian Government makes no apology whatsoever.

“Every other government is doing exactly the same. I have a simple view of these things. You got to be in it to win it.”

NAOMI LEVIN