“Reaffirm your support for Israel” – Coalition to Labor

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Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs Julie Bishop has called on Kevin Rudd and the Labor Party to immediately reaffirm Australia’s support for Israel and has called Michael Danby’s attack on Rudd in the Australian Jewish News “hypocritical”.

Julie Bishop

Ms Bishop said comments from Foreign Affairs Minister Bob Carr which suggested the Government had hardened its stance against Israel were deeply concerning.

In a speech at Sydney’s Lakemba Mosque last week, Mr Carr said:

“All settlements on Palestinian land are illegal under international law and should cease. That is the position of Kevin Rudd, the position of the federal Labor government and we don’t make apologies for it”.

It is hypocritical of Labor’s MP for  Melbourne Ports Michael Danby to take out a full page advertisement in the Australian Jewish News to declare that the Foreign Minister was ‘not always right’. Mr Danby is part of a Party backed by unions which actively support the antisemitic Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) campaign against Israel.

Labor’s position has also drawn the ire of the Australian-Israel Jewish Affairs Council which warned Mr Carr’s statements were ‘one-sided’ and could complicate current peace negotiations between the Israelis and the Palestinians.

Mr Carr’s remarks are the latest in a growing list of actions highlighting Labor’s desertion of Israel:
·         In 2012 Labor decided not to vote against a United Nations’ proposal to elevate Palestine to observer state status.
·         Earlier this year Labor excluded Israel when it added 21 countries – including seven in the Middle East – to the list of countries whose citizens can access, in many cases, virtually instant electronic visas for short-term visits to Australia
·         Labor nominated an anti-Israel campaigner for election to the International Court of Justice.
·         It emerged last year that under Labor, Australian taxpayers’ money had found its way to Gaza Strip terrorist organisations.
·         Labor joined with the Greens in refusing to support Liberal Senator Arthur Sinodinos’s September 2012 Senate motion condemning the BDS campaign.

Ms Bishop said Mr Carr’s comments made it clear that only the Coalition would restore and strengthen Australia’s relationship with Israel.

“The Coalition is a strong supporter of Australia’s Jewish community and is firmly committed to Israel’s security,” Ms Bishop said.
“We recognise that Israel is under existential threat in a way that almost no other country in the world is and we recognise the potential for closer trade and investment ties with Israel.

“The Coalition supports the two-state solution and the right of the Israeli and Palestinian peoples to live in peace and security within internationally recognised borders.”

In response, Michael Danby told J-Wire: “Anyone who is aware of my involvement in organising the then Deputy Prime Minister Wayne Swan, the then Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd, Aboriginal leader Warren Mundine and union leader Paul Howes to visit Max Brenner chocolate shops in a counter-move to the boycotts will know how unfair and mean Julie Bishop’s comments are.

The Australian Jewish community and Israel need strong voices to support them on both sides of mainstream politics.

I am one such voice in the Labor Government and stand on my decades long support for Israel and my opposition to terrorism. Since being elected, no-one could have done more to facilitate protection and funding for our Jewish dayschools.”