Netanyahu Wraps Up 'Stellar' Aussie Trip

Jerusalem, 26 February, 2017 (TPS) -- Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu wrapped up a five-day state visit to Australia Sunday, calling his talks with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, Foreign Minister Julie Bishop, Opposition Leader Bill Shorten and a slew of Jewish leaders in Sydney “wonderful” and inviting Turnbull to visit Israel later this year.

Leaders of major Jewish organizations in Melbourne and Sydney said the visit was “stellar” and emphasized Canberra’s long-standing bipartisan support for tight relations with Jerusalem and consistent support on the international stage. Netanyahu pledged to triple bilateral trade with Australia, from the current $1 billion a year. Israel currently sends less than 1 percent of its exports to Australia, with 0.3% of Israel’s imports coming from Down Under.

In a joint statement between Israeli and Australian officials, the sides noted a “friendship… anchored in our shared values, commitment to democracy and  mutual interest in a rules-based international system,” and stressed bilateral support from Australia’s Labour and Liberal parties for strong relations with the Jewish state.

However, sources close to the Australian Labour Party said that Netanyahu’s lack of clear policies has made it difficult for party chairman Shorten to hold back a growing tide of Labour parliamentarians – bolstered by former prime ministers Kevin Rudd and Bob Hawke – to recognize a Palestinian state. Shorten raised the issue of settlements on Friday, but neither side would elaborate.

“Shorten has certainly been supportive of Israel, but it’s a constant battle,” said the source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorized by his organization to speak to the press. “Like many left-wing groups around the world, there is a strong tide in the Labour Party that favors the Palestinians and would like to see a loosening of ties between Australia and Israel.

“Moves like the legalization law and plans to expand settlements outside the large blocs make it harder and harder for people Shorten, [Jewish MP] Michael Danby and other Israel supporters to defend Israel and to withstand the push to recognize a Palestinian state,” the source said.

Some local Jewish leaders rejected the criticism, however.

“I think people who make that argument are using it as a pretext for inaction,” said Dr. Colin Rubinstead, Executive Director of the Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council in Melbourne. “Even in the Labour Party, where there clearly is a debate about certain aspects of Israeli policy and attitudes towards peace process, those elements that are supportive of Israel still predominate. Clearly, there is an issue there, but [as far as Israel’s diplomatic activity is concerned] I’d say that any government could always do better, in terms of diplomatic service. Of course there is always scope for improvement.

“But in the case of Australia, the relationship is pretty good. The information and the image coming out of Israel is adequate, as testified by the continuing supportive role of the Australian government,” Rubenstein said.

“The people in the Labour Party like Rudd, Hawke and others have been gunning against Israel for a long time,” added Dr. Danny Lamm, president of the Zionist Federation of Australia, referring to Hawke and Rudd’s call for Canberra to recognize “Palestine” ahead of Netanyahu’s visit.

Netanyahu responded by asking: “What kind of state will it be that they are advocating? A state that calls for Israel’s destruction? A state whose territory will be used immediately for radical Islam?” and stating that Israel must maintain security control over all the territory from the river to the sea.

“So Netanyahu’s retort was apt, essentially calling them out on their intentions for Israel, which would lead to a repeat of what happened after Israel withdrew from Lebanon and even more so when she withdrew from Gaza.

“It doesn’t matter a hoot what Israel has done in the pursuit of peace or offers to do,” Lamm told TPS.