Australia wouldn't have backed UN Israel resolution

  • 30/12/2016
Australia Foreign Minister Julie Bishop
Australia Foreign Minister Julie Bishop (Getty)

Australia has distanced itself from New Zealand's support of a recent United Nations Security Council resolution on Israel.

The resolution called for an end to Israeli settlements on occupied Palestinian territory. New Zealand, along with Malaysia, Venezuela and Senegal voted for the resolution.

It is critical of Israeli settlements as a violation of international law, which is undermining a two-state solution with Palestine.

In a statement released on Thursday, Foreign Minister Julie Bishop indicated Australia would likely not have supported the resolution.

Australia is not currently a member of the UN Security Council, but Ms Bishop said "in voting at the UN, the Coalition government has consistently not supported one-sided resolutions targeting Israel".

Ms Bishop called for both sides to "resume direct negotiations for a two-state solution as soon as possible".

The resolution passed with 14 votes in favour on the 15-member Security Council, after the Obama administration abstained from using its veto.

It is the first resolution the Security Council has adopted on Israel and Palestine in nearly eight years.

Shortly after the resolution was passed, Israel's administration withdrew its ambassador Itzhak Gerberg from New Zealand and barred New Zealand's ambassador from travelling to the nation.

US President-elect Donald Trump has criticised the Obama administration for its support of the resolution, and recently tweeted: "We cannot continue to let Israel be treated with such total disdain and disrespect."

Newshub.