From The Melbourne Age, August 3, 2008, by Paul Daley, The Sunday Age's national political columnist (also see comment from AIJAC on this article, below):
... Australia was one of just six countries to vote against a United Nations resolution demanding Israel dismantle its ...security barrier ...that, while making life a misery for Palestinians, has done much to thwart suicide bombings. The UN held the non-binding vote after the International Court of Justice ruled a section of the structure had been built on Palestinian land. The five other "no" votes came from Israel, America, Marshall Islands, Micronesia and Palau - 150 other countries voted "yes".
[now Australian Prime Minister, Kevin] Rudd was telling anyone who'd listen that Australia's position was shameful. The government, aware of this, did some rear-guard briefing of its own, telling journalists that not only could Labor not be trusted to manage the precious bi-lateral relationship with America, but it would also mishandle Australia's "special friendship" with Israel.
... this time last year...some Israeli officials and some prominent Australian friends of Israel viewed the prospect of a Rudd Government with measured caution.
A few months ago...one of Tony Blair's advisers [asked me]..... "Did you know...that your government has increased aid to the Palestinian Authority?" This was seen as a big deal by the quartet - something John Howard would not have done and a sign, perhaps, of a different approach by Kevin Rudd on Israel. A week before Christmas the Parliamentary Secretary for International Development Assistance, Bob McMullan, announced Australia had indeed doubled its 2008 aid package to the Palestinian Territories to $45 million.
A senior Australian diplomatic source told me the aid increase "succinctly reflected a subtle repositioning and a new approach" in the Middle East.
Earlier this year Downer's replacement, Stephen Smith, gave an interview in Washington in which he said Australia was committed to an "even-handed" approach on Middle East policy....
... On February 8, Michael Burd, in a letter to the Australian Jewish News, wrote: "It wasn't so long ago Jewish Labor supporters were arguing there was no difference between Liberal and Labor policy towards Israel, and Jews who attended private dinners with Kevin Rudd … were led to believe Labor would continue to support Israel. "This letter writer will be watching for the next Arab/Muslim-backed UN anti-Israel resolution to see if Rudd stands by his commitment to the Jewish community."
Around this time, Rudd seemed to allay some fears when he introduced a motion into Federal Parliament honouring the state of Israel, which turned 60 this year. One of his MPs, Julia Irwin - a long-time critic of Israel's conduct - boycotted the motion.
....There is no doubt that, while the Australia-Israel relationship remains close, there is significant new uncertainty about it.
Rudd, who has yet to visit Israel as prime minister, does little by accident.
Dr Colin Rubenstein, Executive Director, AIJAC comments as follows:
"We have seen no sign of any subtle let alone significant shift of Australian policy on the Middle East, and the Daley article offers no new evidence that any such change is occurring. We are satisfied that the Australian Government maintains a strong positive commitment to a secure Israel, and to the pursuit of a viable and lasting two-state peace."
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