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China could be the key to the success of the renewed “snapback sanctions” on Iran
This week saw the reinstatement of comprehensive UN sanctions on Iran under the “snapback” mechanism of the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) nuclear agreement, after the UK, France and Germany triggered this process in late August, citing Iran’s blatant non-compliance with the deal’s provisions.
Read MoreAbbas said some positive sounding things in UN speech – pity they are so far-fetched
It seems clear the Abbas-led PA is not capable of real reform, as it has demonstrated for decades. But even if it were, it has almost no support among Palestinians and no means of enforcing its writ even in the West Bank, much less Gaza. Unless and until that changes, Abbas’ commitments and call for peaceful coexistence in this speech will remain as symbolic and meaningless as the recognition of Palestine by Australia and other Western countries.
Read MoreAIJAC hopeful over new 20-point peace plan proposal to end the Gaza war
The main difference between this and previous plans is that this plan is about ending the war, not just pausing it – and it provides a pathway to do so even if Hamas doesn’t agree. Moreover, it has also garnered widespread acceptance by many Arab and Muslim countries as well as heavy investment by the US
Read MoreIt’s up to Hamas, but US plan means peace looks more possible than ever
The Hamas-Israel war has, once again, come to the point of ceasefire. Once again, Israel has agreed to its terms. It is once again up to Hamas as to whether or not it wants to end the war.
Read MoreAIJAC hails New Zealand’s approach to recognising “Palestine”
The Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council (AIJAC) today hailed New Zealand ’s announced policy of delaying recognition of a Palestinian state until it can better contribute to a two-state resolution as principled, sensible and firmly “rooted in empirical realities.”
Read MoreRoadmap to a viable Palestine requires holding Abbas to account
The problem is that Western recognition of the ‘State of Palestine’ rewards Palestinian promises, not Palestinian actions.
Read MorePalestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas will be impotent to deliver on promises
Anthony Albanese said that recognition was predicated on promises that Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas made to him. But Mr Abbas has made these promises before. They weren’t implemented then, and they won’t be implemented now.
Read MoreAlbanese Government’s “shift away from Israel started long before October 7th”: Joel Burnie on Sky News
Joel Burnie spoke with Sky News’ Sharri Markson about the breakdown of the Australia-Israel bilateral relationship under the current Australian Government, missile and drone attacks by the Houthis in Yemen and the publicity stunt that is the new Gaza flotilla.
Read MorePalestinian recognition without reform is a dangerous illusion
If, against all odds, Senator Wong and her peers somehow did succeed in forcing the PA to honour its commitments, the outcome could be transformative… And in that scenario, recognition could have real meaning. But history – and Palestinian polling – tells us it will not happen.
Read More‘Choose the blessing, choose life’: Can we resist despair this Rosh Hashanah?
I am in despair because polarisation reigns. Black and white are the only colours. Simplistic thinking has pervaded our public spaces — it is also sadly evident in Israel and in many within the Jewish community.
Read MoreAIJAC deeply disappointed at Government’s counter-productive recognition of a Palestinian state
The Palestinians’ chosen path since 2014 – a stubborn refusal to even negotiate, encouraging, rewarding, and celebrating violence, and indoctrinating its children to hate Israel – will be strengthened by the Government’s morally compromised decision. What is certain is that this decision will not help Israelis and Palestinians achieve peace, and neither will it accelerate the creation of a Palestinian state.
Read MorePalestinian statehood would reward murder
“Palestine” fails on nearly all counts. It has no defined borders, no single government — only a corrupt Palestinian Authority controlling the Palestinian cities of the West Bank (Judea and Samaria) and a terrorist Hamas regime in Gaza — and no real capacity for international relations when half its leadership is a proscribed terror group.
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