A group of eight Israeli lawmakers from both governing and opposition parties in the Knesset have called on Australian MPs to reject the country’s longstanding two-state solution on Israel and Palestine. The letter, distributed at an event hosted at Parliament House in February, was handed to Queensland LNP backbencher Andrew Wallace by unidentified individuals.
A Bold Challenge to Bipartisan Policy
The letter contends that maintaining Australia’s two-state policy would inadvertently reward Hamas and jeopardize the security of Israel. It argues that, following the October 7th massacre, the creation of a Palestinian state would lead to the destruction of the Jewish state. The signatories, including far-right figures from Israel’s Religious Zionism party, Otzma Yehudit, and Netanyahu’s Likud party, claim that the current bipartisan support for the two-state solution undermines the long-term stability of the region.
Event Sparks Political Debate in Australia
The letter was distributed at an event celebrating the launch of the Australia-Israel Allies Caucus, a group largely composed of Coalition MPs and senators who have been critical of the federal government’s approach toward Israel. While Wallace, the event’s host and deputy chair of the parliamentary joint committee on intelligence and security, stated he supports Australia’s bipartisan policy of a two-state solution, he did not comment further on the letter.
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Government and Opposition Reactions
A spokesperson for Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong reiterated the government’s commitment to a Palestinian state coexisting peacefully with Israel, emphasizing that this policy remains a cornerstone of Australia’s international stance. The opposition, meanwhile, has maintained its support for a negotiated two-state solution, despite internal debates. Notably, shadow minister Peter Dutton has criticized the current government for its perceived adversarial position toward Israel, promising that if he were to become prime minister, he would work to rebuild Australia’s relationship with Israel.
International Implications and Criticism
The letter’s contents reflect a broader international debate over the viability of the two-state solution, especially in the wake of recent violent incidents in the region. Critics argue that the proposed abandonment of the two-state policy would serve the interests of Israel’s security but would undermine efforts toward achieving Palestinian self-determination. Nasser Mashni, president of the Australia Palestine Advocacy Network, denounced the letter as revealing the “true intentions” of parts of the Israeli government, accusing them of using the policy to sustain apartheid and occupation.
Calls for a Policy Shift
The signatories of the letter insist that dropping the two-state approach would send a strong message of support to Israel and to Jewish Australians. They argue that a move away from the bipartisan policy would express a commitment to “common sense, justice, and peace in Israel.” The letter, however, has drawn mixed reactions among Australian politicians, with some viewing it as a partisan attempt to influence the upcoming federal election, while others see it as a necessary debate on Australia’s foreign policy stance.
Next Steps
As the federal election approaches, the letter adds fuel to ongoing debates about Australia’s role in Middle Eastern politics. The government and opposition are expected to address the issue in the coming weeks, with further discussions likely at parliamentary committees and in public forums. The future of Australia’s two-state policy remains a contentious issue, with the outcome of these debates potentially reshaping the nation’s approach to international diplomacy in the region.
