Israel’s ambassador to Australia has warned the Albanese government that imposing a UK-style ban on goods from illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank would be a “deep mistake”.
Dr Hillel Newman said sanctions against Israel would be “mistaken” and argued that the issue of settlements had been “blown out of proportion”. He was speaking as pressure mounted on Australia to join a growing group of countries taking action against settlement activity.
“It would be a deep mistake to take steps in such a direction,” Dr Newman told The Australian, referring to Britain’s decision to introduce an import ban on goods produced in Israeli settlements in the occupied territories.
The UK measures, announced by Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband on Tuesday, will also target companies and individuals involved in construction, infrastructure, financing, real estate and other services linked to settlement expansion. Religious exemptions are expected to be included in the sanctions regime.
Canada and France have announced similar plans, while Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Ireland, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain and Sweden have confirmed that they are considering national restrictions or supporting European action on settlement goods.
Australia resists blanket settlement import ban
Foreign Minister Penny Wong told the Senate that Australia was pursuing further targeted measures against illegal settlements and settler violence, but was “not, at this time, pursuing a blanket-style import ban”.
She said the government had concerns about the possible impact on Australian businesses, Palestinians and Israelis, and would continue working with international partners to protect the prospect of a two-state solution.
“The Netanyahu government’s actions in the West Bank, the rapid expansion of settlements, the proposed E1 settlement development and flagrant settler violence are extinguishing the possibility of a two-state solution,” Senator Wong said.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese declined to say on Tuesday whether Australia would adopt measures similar to those announced by Britain, reiterating that the government supported a two-state solution.
Australia was among the countries to sign a joint statement in August condemning Israel’s plans for the E1 settlement project, warning that the development would divide the West Bank and damage the prospects of a viable Palestinian state.
Dr Newman also criticised protesters who gathered outside Israel’s embassy in Canberra on Tuesday, describing them as “brainwashed”. Demonstrators called for tougher sanctions and for his expulsion after an Israeli military investigation into the killing of Australian aid worker Zomi Frankcom in Gaza.
The ambassador’s intervention comes amid growing pressure within the Australian Labor Party for the government to take a harder line over Israel’s conduct in the West Bank, where settler violence and settlement expansion have intensified.
Amnesty International Australia has separately urged governments with close political and trading ties to Israel to act over land confiscations and settlement expansion, including in areas nominally administered by the Palestinian Authority.
