A year ago, Australia joined the handful of countries that voted against, or abstained from voting for a series of one-sided anti-Israel resolutions that were put forward in the UN. Since then, Australia, under Tony Abbot’s government, has repeatedly made it clear that it’s actually going to be taking a balanced position when it comes to Israel.
On Wednesday evening, the Australian government’s Attorney-General George Brandis unequivocally stated it would not use the word “occupied” in reference to eastern Jerusalem.
In May, Australia’s Foreign Minister Julie Bishop, visiting in Jerusalem, questioned exactly which international law has declared Israeli settlements illegal. (Answer: None).
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu is planning a week long trip to friendly Australia in June, which would make him the first Israeli prime minister to visit the land down under.