PREPARATORY MEETING OF THE HIGH-LEVEL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE FOR THE PEACEFUL SETTLEMENT OF THE QUESTION OF PALESTINE AND THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE TWO-STATE SOLUTION
STATEMENT BY H. E. JAMES LARSEN, AMBASSADOR AND PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE, AUSTRALIAN MISSION TO THE UNITED NATIONS
Friday 23 May
Australia thanks France and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for their efforts to re-establish momentum for a two-state solution at a time when progress is desperately needed.
As Australia’s Foreign Minister said at the United Nations General Assembly last year, Australia shares the frustration of the great majority of countries, more than 77 years since the world adopted Resolution 181 - a Palestinian state still does not exist.
A two-state solution – a Palestinian state alongside the State of Israel - is the only hope of breaking the endless cycle of violence, and the only hope of a just and enduring peace, for Israelis and Palestinians alike.
Like other partners, Australia no longer sees recognition of a Palestinian state as only occurring at the end of negotiations but rather as a way of building momentum towards a two-state solution.
To that end, Australia welcomes the conference’s ambition of a time-bound, irreversible pathway towards a two-state solution.
Australia has made clear it sees no role for Hamas in a future Palestinian state. Hamas is a terrorist organisation.
A Palestinian state cannot be in a position to threaten Israel’s security.
A durable peace will require a reformed Palestinian Authority, and Australia has committed to support public administration capacity building.
A durable peace will require Israel to be recognized by the countries of its region.
A durable peace will also require all sides to respect the right of others to exist. It calls for people to see each other’s humanity.
In that vein, we look forward to participating in Working Group 3 on ‘Narratives for peace’—combatting hate speech, incitement, violent extremism and dehumanization.
As we sit here, we cannot lose focus on the immediate crisis.
Australia is horrified by the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza and calls on the parties to return to a ceasefire, for civilians to be protected, and for hostages to be released.
Australia is a part of the international call on Israel to allow the full and immediate resumption of aid into Gaza.
Palestinian civilians cannot be made to pay the price for defeating Hamas.
We reaffirm our view that the UN remains best placed to deliver this assistance – the UN is ready to respond to critical needs now and in line with humanitarian principles – neutrality, humanity, impartiality, independence.
With our deep concern for the humanitarian crisis, Australia welcomes the opportunity to contribute to Working Group 5 on ‘Humanitarian Action and Reconstruction’.
Thank you.