Published: 14 May 2020
Last updated: 19 March 2024
THE SHADOW MINISTER for Foreign Affairs, Senator Penny Wong, has criticised Israel’s planned annexation of parts of the West Bank, saying it would “weaken the viability of any future Palestinian state” and risk destabilising the region.
“Unilateral annexation of West Bank would weaken the viability of any future Palestinian state, and risk destabilising Israel’s neighbours – a risk the world cannot afford” Senator Wong told The Jewish Independent.
“Labor has long supported, and continues to support, a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict,” Senator Wong said. “Labor continues to call on both sides of the conflict to refrain from any actions that hamper peaceful outcomes for both the Israeli and Palestinian people.”
Senator Wong’s comments come as debate intensifies around the globe over Prime Minister Netanyahu’s declaration that he intends to start annexing parts of the West Bank from July 1, subject to backing from the US government.
Last week the prominent conservative advocate Daniel Pipes spoke out against annexation in an article in the New York Times, in which he listed six reasons for his opposition to the policy, sparking in-fighting within right-wing Jewish circles.
Last week the prominent conservative advocate Daniel Pipes, President of the Middle East Forum, spoke out against annexation in an article in the New York Times, in which he listed six reasons for his opposition to the policy, sparking in-fighting within right-wing Jewish circles.
“In short, annexation of the West Bank would probably damage Israel’s relations with the Trump administration, the Democrats, Europeans and Arab leaders, as well as destabilise the region, radicalize the Israeli Left, and harm the Zionist goal of a Jewish state,” Pipes wrote.
By contrast, Australian Jewish community leaders have been more cautious about the prospect of annexation. Colin Rubenstein, Executive Director of the Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council (AIJAC), wrote in an editorial that “there are serious diplomatic risks to Israel in [pursuing annexation] but “there is also a case to be made that there is currently a unique and short-lived opportunity to begin implementing the Trump peace plan in a way that will draw reasonably definitive borders between Israel and the ongoing option of a viable future Palestinian state.
“This is something which simply cannot be achieved through negotiations for the foreseeable future because of the continued Palestinian refusal to even negotiate.”
He noted that that annexation would be “subject to some fairly ambiguous pre-conditions about prior international consultations”.
Other community leaders have told The Jewish Independent they would wait until Israel revealed more detail about its plan to offer a detailed response. The Zionist Federation of Australia said “no Israeli plan has been proposed; in the absence of any plan, commenting would be premature”.
“The coalition agreement between Netanyahu and Gantz is ambiguous. It doesn’t provide any detail on the type, extent or timeline of annexation (nor does it use the word ‘annexation’ – a term with a specific legal meaning).”
Peter Wertheim, the co-chief Executive Officer of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, said “it’s way too early to comment, as no-one really knows how this will play out. We are keeping a close watch.”
However, the Executive Director of NIF Australia, Liam Getreu, did not feel it was too early to comment, delivering a blistering condemnation of the proposed annexation policy. The plan is “deeply concerning. It does nothing for Palestinians who seek freedom and a better life or for Israelis who wish to live with security,” Getreu told The Jewish Independent.
“The move [would] effectively place Palestinians under a permanent occupation, creating a two-class system in the West Bank, where Jews have full rights and Arabs do not.
“Annexation is inimical to Israel’s character and standing as a democracy. It leads Israel down an anti-democratic road towards a future of permanent rule over another people, unending injustice, and stark inequality.
“It could also spell the end of a two-state solution, making inevitable a one-state reality in which one national group lives under the yoke of another, leading to discrimination and violence long into the future.”
EDITOR’S NOTE: The Jewish Independent approached the Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne on several occasions for a comment but at the time of publication her office had not offered any response.
READ MORE
UK: 38 deputies urge Board to condemn Israel’s annexation plans (Times of Israel)
'Our letter shows there is a cross-communal support on the need for the Board of Deputies to speak up on the proposed annexation'
EU foreign policy chief: Israeli annexation ‘most important item’ in foreign ministers meeting (Haaretz)
Josep Borell said that at the time the EU is 'far away from discussing sanctions' stressing that the matter is 'a very divisive issue inside the [Foreign Affairs] Council' set to meet Friday
Israel should look to EU before West Bank annexation (Ynet)
Jerusalem is accustomed to viewing Europe as weakened entity and to dismissing its protests, but this could be mistake if Israel decides to take formal annexation step, which many in Europe would see as game changer and advance costly measures
NGO warns lawmakers against West Bank annexation (Ynet)
Ahead of Pompeo visit, Combatants For Peace group pens letter warning of 'personal, international legal ramifications' for MKs and ministers supporting application of Israeli sovereignty over contested territory
Photo: Senator Wong at the Executive Council of Australian Jewry’s AGM in 2015 (Noel Kessel)
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