Labor friends of Palestine criticise Australia’s decision not to join sanctions on Israeli settlements in West Bank

Australia has chosen not to follow the UK, Canada, and France in imposing trade bans on Israeli settlements in the West Bank, drawing criticism from within the Labor Party. Members of the Labor Friends of Palestine group have urged Foreign Minister Penny Wong to adopt a tougher stance, aligning with recent updates to the party’s national platform. The push comes amid growing calls for a stronger response to violence affecting Palestinians. The government’s decision contrasts with the coordinated approach taken by its allies.

Australia declined to join move by UK, Canada and France in banning trade with illegal Israeli settlements Labor party members have criticised the federal government for not following the UK, Canada and France in banning trade with Israeli settlements in the West Bank, urging Penny Wong to mount a stronger response to violence against Palestinians.The Labor Friends of Palestine group wrote to the foreign minister on Wednesday, calling for Australia to join a coordinated approach with allied countries, in line with changes to the party’s national platform agreed in July. Continue reading...