“Australian Muslim community welcomes decision to abstain on Palestine but urges Australia to vote yes”
The Australian Muslim community welcomes the decision by the Australian government to abstain from, rather than oppose, a vote in the United Nations General Assembly on the Palestinian observer status resolution.
While we acknowledge this as a positive step forward, the community urges the Australian Government to fully support Palestine in being granted non-member state observer status in the UN by voting yes.
We appreciate the stance of various Labor and government ministers in representing the consensus of the Australian community and in supporting the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people for independent statehood recognition.
As a member of the UN Security Council, it is crucial that Australia remains “on the right side of history”, and joins the majority of the world in supporting the recognition of Palestinian statehood based on Palestine’s pre-1967 borders. Australia must also ensure that its rhetoric of commitment to self-determination is in alignment with its foreign policy choices.
The Australian Muslim community declares its support for the recognition of Palestinian statehood. We hope and pray for sustainable peace in the region and the ending of the subordination of Palestinians.
For media enquiries please contact:
Mr Samier Dandan 0414 998 008
Ms Randa Abdel-Fattah on 0411 135 654
Statement on behalf of:
Islamic Council of New South Wales (ICNSW)
Australian National Imams Council (ANIC)
Lebanese Muslim Association (LMA)
Islamic Egyptian Society
United Muslim Women Association (UMWA)
United Muslims of Australia (UMA)
Australian Muslim Women’s Association (AMWA)
Australian Islamic Voice
Australian Islamic Mission
Nabi Akram Islamic Centre
Islamic Women’s Welfare Association
Australian Islamic House
Hills District Muslim Society
Australian MEFF Consortium (MEFF)
Islamic Foundation for Education and Welfare (IFEW)
Progeny Islamic Publications
Islamic Development Centre of Australia
Horn of Africa Relief and Development Agency
Muslim Students Association of Australia
Australian Ahlul Bayt Islamic Centre Youth
Muhammadi Welfare Association Inc
Shias in Australia
Panjtan Society of Victoria
RELATED
MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS
Senator the Hon. Bob Carr
November 29, 2012
FOREIGN MINISTER DEFENDS PALESTINE
Tony Abbott supporters in the Parliament today alleged a “pan-Arab invasion of Israel” was contemplated by the Palestinian Authority.
Speaking in the Senate, the Coalition criticised the decision of the Government to abstain in a vote at the United Nations (UN) on Palestinian non-member state observer status.
Senator Barnaby Joyce, Leader of the Nationals in the Senate, asked why the Australian Government was not voting against a resolution on Palestinian statehood in the UN later this week “when its territory is currently controlled by groups that have at times denied Israel’s right to exist.”
Senator Joyce said: “What reassurances has the government received from the Palestinian Authority that there is no longer favour of a pan-Arab invasion of Israel” and labelled a vote on Palestinian non-member state observer status at the UN as “oxymoronic”.
Foreign Minister Bob Carr said the extremist language was an attack on all Arabs who wanted peace as much as anybody.
“Senator Joyce is one of Tony Abbott’s Cabinet confidants,” Senator Carr said.
“He is attempting to stir up hate and strife because we, the Government, are not opposing a Palestinian state.
“It is clear the Liberals are now opposed to a Palestinian state.
“This is the voice of Tony Abbott extremism.
“In one sentence, Senator Joyce has undermined the long-standing, bipartisan position of the Australian Government to support a negotiated two state solution with a secure Israel living alongside a future independent Palestinian state,” Senator Carr said.
“Senator Joyce has also undermined the tireless efforts of the Palestinian Authority to build the institutions and structures of statehood.
“Voting against the Palestinian observer status resolution would undermine Australia’s strong support for the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people to self-determination and a state of their own.
“The achievements of the Palestinian Authority towards statehood have been recognised by both the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.
“These efforts have been strongly supported by the Australian Government, together with major countries around the world and led by the UN, the European Union, the United States and Russia.”
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Hon Tony Burke MP
Member for Watson
Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities
Member for Watson
Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities
November 29, 2012
PALESTINIAN UN OBSERVER STATUS
Member for Watson, Tony Burke, welcomed the announcement that Australia will not stand in the way of enhanced status for Palestinians in the United Nations.
“I have always been supportive of the two-state solution and I have argued for that in every forum,” Mr. Burke said.
“I’m fully supportive of the position taken by the Prime Minister who showed real leadership in listening to the views of the community and the caucus.
“When the Question of Palestine resolution comes forward later this week, Australia will abstain.
“If we were to vote against this resolution we would be undermining Australia’s traditional support for the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people to self- determination and a state of their own.
“I know this is an important issue for our community, I have already been contacted by local residents congratulating the Government.”
Tony Abbott supporters in the Parliament today alleged a “pan-Arab invasion of Israel” was contemplated by the Palestinian Authority.
Senator Barnaby Joyce, Leader of the Nationals in the Senate, said: “What reassurances has the government received from the Palestinian Authority that there is no longer favour of a pan-Arab invasion of Israel” and labelled a vote on Palestinian non-member state observer status at the UN as “oxymoronic”.
It is clear the Liberals are opposed to a Palestinian state.
Tony Burke said that the Coalition had criticised the Government’s decision to abstain in the vote.
“Tony Abbott and the Coalition are clearly trying to encourage hatred and division,” Mr Burke said.
“This is the absolute opposite to what our community has been working towards.”
Member nations of the UN are expected to vote on the Palestinian observer status resolution on Thursday, November 29 (New York time). If passed, it would accord non-member Observer state status in the UN to the Palestinian Authority.
The Foreign Minister, Senator Carr, will be meeting with members of the Palestinian community in Sydney on Friday night.
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