UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY FOURTH COMMITTEE
EXPLANATION OF VOTE ISRAELI SETTLEMENTS IN THE OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORY, INCLUDING EAST JERUSALEM, AND THE OCCUPIED SYRIAN GOLAN
STATEMENT DELIVERED BY ALICE VOLKOV, POLITICAL ADVISER, AUSTRALIAN PERMANENT MISSION TO THE UNITED NATIONS
20 November 2024
Thank you Chair,
Australia voted for the resolution on Israeli Settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory because we are committed to a two-state solution – a Palestinian state and the State of Israel, living side by side in peace and security within internationally recognised borders.
And we have a responsibility as an international community to call out actions that push peace further from reach.
Israeli settlements are illegal under international law and a significant obstacle to peace and a two-state solution, as stated in UN Security Council Resolution 2334.
We repeat our call on Israel to respond substantively to the International Court of Justice’s recent Advisory Opinion, and to cease settlement activity, ensure accountability for ongoing acts of violence by extremist settlers perpetrated against Palestinians, and work towards a two-state solution. We are gravely concerned by calls from senior Israeli ministers for annexation of land in the West Bank.
Australia respects the independence of the International Court of Justice and the critical role it plays in upholding international law and the rules-based order.
We continue to give careful consideration to the Court’s conclusions in its Advisory Opinion – our vote is not determinative of our position on that opinion, including those conclusions reflected in this resolution.
Thank you.