Live Wire
Labor party members have criticised the federal government for not aligning with the UK, Canada, and France in imposing trade bans on Israeli settlements in the West Bank. They urged Foreign Minister Penny Wong to adopt a stronger policy response to violence against Palestinians. The Labor Friends of Palestine group wrote to Wong, advocating for Australia to join a coordinated approach with allies, reflecting changes in the party’s national platform agreed in July.
The group emphasized the need for careful policy design, avoiding inaction, including on targeted trade restrictions that could protect Palestinian workers while mitigating unintended consequences. Wong confirmed Australia is preparing further sanctions against Israel but did not join the UK in banning trade with West Bank settlements. The UK’s foreign secretary, Ed Miliband, described Israel’s actions as unlawful and accused settlers of ethnic cleansing.
Convenors of the group said Wong’s stance would align with Labor’s principles endorsed at the party’s national conference in Adelaide. Labor’s platform opposes annexation of Palestinian territory and calls for ending illegal settlements and occupation. It urges the government to halt support for settlements and extremist violence, implementing further sanctions as needed.
The group’s letter to Wong highlighted Australia’s past cooperation with the UK, Canada, France, Norway, and the UK in sanctions against extremist settlers. The UK plans to ban goods from illegal settlements, arms exports, and sanctions on individuals, with implementation expected in six to nine months. Joint statements by UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney emphasized further action to push for a two-state solution.
Nine European countries are considering similar measures. Wong denied claims by the Greens that Australia was trying to placate Netanyahu’s government, stating that Australia has sanctioned Israeli extremists for violence against Palestinians. She is also working with the family of the killed Australian aid worker Zomi Frankcom on a response to Israel’s decision not to investigate Gaza strikes that killed her and six colleagues.
Source: The Guardian
