MEDIA RELEASES

AIJAC statement responding to Foreign Minister Carr’s legal claims on settlements

Aug 13, 2013 | Colin Rubenstein

AIJAC statement responding to Foreign Minister Carr's legal claims on settlements
Australian FM Bob Carr with US Secretary of State

On Friday, August 9 , AIJAC put out a statement responding to controversial remarks on Israeli settlements by Foreign Minister Senator Bob Carr at Lakemba the previous day. Video on the SBS website shows Carr saying the following:

We in our government, and the members of the government behind me, made a decision that in the United Nations, Australia would not block the bid to lift the status of the Palestinians. And I am very, very proud that Australia’s hand did not go up against increased Palestinian status in the General Assembly of the United Nations…

And that’s why we say unequivocally 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…

A spokesperson for Senator Carr has now responded to criticisms of his remarks in a statement published on the J-Wire news website re-iterating his insistence that all Israeli settlements in the West Bank are illegal by virtue of the Fourth Geneva Convention. AIJAC has released the following statement in response to Senator Carr’s latest comments:

We disagree with Foreign Minister Bob Carr’s claim regarding the legality of settlements but that is not the principal problem with the policy shift he has led. We are disappointed that Senator Carr has altered a long-standing bipartisan policy in Australia by repeatedly asserting a contentious and disputed legal claim in a way which is both one-sided and which also potentially undermines progress towards a negotiated two-state resolution to the conflict.

A strong case can be made that the Fourth Geneva Convention does not apply in the West Bank and, even if it does, that it would not forbid Israeli settlements there. However, that aside, progress toward peace requires encouraging the Israelis and Palestinians to compromise and work together. Unequivocal proclamations on contentious legal claims prejudice the outcome of negotiations by narrowing the scope for compromise on important final-status issues, discourage flexibility in the negotiating process and detract from efforts to bridge the major differences between the two sides. We call on Senator Carr to return to the traditional bipartisan policy of placing principled and realistic support for negotiations toward a two-state resolution at the centre of Australia’s approach to Israeli-Palestinian issues.

Colin Rubenstein

RELATED ARTICLES


Image: Shutterstock

AIJAC “gravely disappointed” by Australian Government’s decision to resume UNRWA funding

Mar 15, 2024 | Featured, Media Releases
Image: Shutterstock

AIJAC calls on Australian Government to remain firm on UNRWA

Mar 12, 2024 | Featured, Media Releases
Israeli trauma expert Dr Moshe Farchi (Image: Twitter/X)

AIJAC angered and disappointed at “cowardly” and “discriminatory” actions of the 2024 Frontline Mental Health Conference

Mar 4, 2024 | Featured, Media Releases
Screenshot 2024 02 15 At 6.22.56 pm

AIJAC disappointed with Prime Ministers’ statement on Rafah that appears “divorced from reality”

Feb 15, 2024 | Featured, Media Releases
The International Court of Justice prepares to deliver its findings on Jan. 26.

AIJAC pleased ICJ permitted Israel’s just war of self-defence against Hamas to continue

Jan 27, 2024 | Featured, Media Releases
Image: Shutterstock

AIJAC welcomes new Australian sanctions targeting Hamas, Hezbollah, PIJ and the IRGC

Jan 23, 2024 | Featured, Media Releases

SIGN UP FOR AIJAC EMAILS

RECENT POSTS

Screenshot 2024 03 15 At 6.19.20 pm

Four Corners “Forever War” episode reflected the endless crusade of its creator, John Lyons

Image: Shutterstock

AIJAC “gravely disappointed” by Australian Government’s decision to resume UNRWA funding

Fighters from Hamas' Qassam Brigades (Image: Shutterstock)

This is no time to throw Hamas a lifeline

Image: Shutterstock

AIJAC calls on Australian Government to remain firm on UNRWA

(image: Shutterstock/Syndi Pilar)

“Anti-Zionism” is illegitimate and immoral regardless of whether or not it is antisemitic

Screenshot 2024 03 15 At 6.19.20 pm

Four Corners “Forever War” episode reflected the endless crusade of its creator, John Lyons

Image: Shutterstock

AIJAC “gravely disappointed” by Australian Government’s decision to resume UNRWA funding

Fighters from Hamas' Qassam Brigades (Image: Shutterstock)

This is no time to throw Hamas a lifeline

Image: Shutterstock

AIJAC calls on Australian Government to remain firm on UNRWA

(image: Shutterstock/Syndi Pilar)

“Anti-Zionism” is illegitimate and immoral regardless of whether or not it is antisemitic

SORT BY TOPICS