Netanyahu rebukes former Aust PMs
AUSTRALIA: Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has delivered a strong rebuke to two former Australian leaders over their push for recognition of a Palestinian state.
Hours after landing in Sydney for an historic four-day visit, Netanyahu slammed suggestions by Bob Hawke and Kevin Rudd for wanting Australia to join 137 other countries in giving diplomatic recognition to an independent Palestine.
‘‘What kind of state will it be that they are advocating?’’ Netanyahu asked during a press conference at Kirribilli House after holding bilateral talks with his Australian counterpart Malcolm Turnbull yesterday. ‘‘A state that calls for Israel’s destruction? A state whose territory will be used immediately for radical Islam?’’
The calls from Hawke and Rudd - both strong supporters of Israel and backed by former foreign ministers Gareth Evans and Bob Carr - are largely driven by concerns Israel’s expansion of Jewish settlements on land it occupies on the West Bank is damaging the prospects of peace with Palestinians. The United Nations last December branded Israel’s settlements illegal under international law. Australia at the time was a lone voice in defending Israel and accused the UN of being ‘‘one-sided’’.
One of the major sticking points in establishing independent states has been the Palestinians’ refusal to recognise Israel as a Jewish state. Netanyahu, the first sitting Israeli prime minister to visit Australia, said recognition was mandatory along with Israel having security control of all territories.
‘‘If Israel is not there to ensure security, then that state very quickly will become another bastion of radical Islam,’’ he said. ’’Other than that, I want the Palestinians to be able to govern themselves and to have all the freedoms to do so, but not the freedom to destroy the Jewish state.’’
The Israeli leader and his wife Sara arrived in Sydney from Singapore, accompanied by a large business delegation to help develop trade and security ties with Australia. His first official call in Sydney was the governorgeneral’s official residence Admiralty House, where he arrived for talks with Sir Peter Cosgrove and Turnbull.
‘‘We feel we are in the friendliest country possible,’’ Netanyahu told Turnbull as they sat down for talks on security, trade and the Middle East. - AAP