<?xml version="1.0" encoding="ISO-8859-1"?> <docID>334747</docID> <postdate>2024-12-06 10:15:55</postdate> <headline>Australia and Israel still ‘close friends’ after rebuke</headline> <body><p><img class="size-full wp-image-334748" src="https://citynews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/20231011001851071908-original-resized.jpg" alt="" width="900" height="602" /></p> <caption>Israel's prime minister has lashed Australia over a vote in the United Nations. (Dean Lewins/AAP PHOTOS)</caption> <p><span class="kicker-line">By <strong>Jacob Shteyman</strong> in Canberra</span></p> <p><strong>Australia remains a "close friend" of Israel despite the Jewish state's prime minister rebuking the Albanese government for its support of Palestinian statehood.</strong></p> <p>Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles defended Australia's UN vote in support of a two-state solution - a long-held position of the Australian government - and said it did not change the two nations' friendship.</p> <p>"We're a close friend and we don't see that there is any change in our friendship, our relationship, our support for Israel," Mr Marles told ABC Radio on Friday.</p> <p>"Nor is there any change in our support for pursuing a two-state solution; that's been the bipartisan policy of our nation for decades."</p> <p>The non-binding resolution on Wednesday, supported by Australia and opposed by eight countries including Israel and the United States, urged Israel to "bring to an end its unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory as rapidly as possible".</p> <p>It further recognised the "inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, primarily the right to self-determination and the right to their independent state".</p> <p>The vote marked a change from Australia, which previously abstained from similar motions.</p> <p>In his first remarks directly addressing Australia's stance, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu labelled Australia's "flip-flop" disappointing.</p> <p>"Awarding anti-Semitism and terrorism with a state in the heart of the Jewish ancient homeland and cradle of civilisation will invite more terrorism and more anti-Semitic riots at campuses and city centres, including in Australia," Mr Netanyahu's office reportedly told The Australian.</p> <p>Mr Netanyahu also implied Australia was no longer a key ally.</p> <p>"Thankfully, our key allies support Israel as we strive for true peace and security," he said.</p> <p>Mr Marles rejected the suggestion the vote would encourage terrorism and anti-Semitism, arguing Australia was simply using its voice to support Israel and a two-state solution.</p> <p>"Our responsibility here is to try and use our international voice in that way," he said.</p> <p>"We're not changing from the idea that there should be a two-state solution."</p> <p>Israel's war in Gaza was sparked by an attack by Palestinian leadership group Hamas on October 7, 2023, that killed 1200 people and resulted in 250 hostages being taken, according to Israeli authorities.</p> <p>In response, Israel has since waged a brutal occupation of the Gaza Strip which has killed more than 44,000 people, according to the local health ministry, with tens of thousands more missing or believed to be buried under rubble.</p> <p>Mr Netanyahu, along with his former defence minister and Hamas leaders, was charged with war crimes under an International Criminal Court ruling, meaning Australia would be required by international law to arrest the Israeli prime minister if he stepped foot on Australian soil.</p> <p>Continuing his stinging rebuke, Mr Netanyahu said Australia had failed to denounce the October 7 attacks.</p> <p>"To the contrary, they have embraced those atrocities that Âincluded the rape, murder and Âbeheading of Jews," he said.</p> <p>"It's a shame that the current Australian government wants to award these savages with a state."</p> <p>The Australian government has repeatedly condemned the Hamas attacks on Israel and called for the release of Israeli hostages.</p> <p>Mr Netanyahu's comments come as Victoria Police investigates a "suspicious" fire that engulfed a south Melbourne synagogue on Friday morning.</p> <p>"It's pretty clear from your reporting that this is no accident, that this is a deliberate act of violence, an attack on a place of worship, and let's call it out," Labor frontbencher Jason Clare told Seven's Sunrise program.</p> <p>https://citynews.com.au/2024/synagogue-blaze-an-act-of-hate-anti-semitism-pm/</p> </body>