In a significant policy shift, Australia has backed a United Nations resolution affirming the “permanent sovereignty” of Palestinians in the Occupied Territories, including East Jerusalem, and the Arab population of the Syrian Golan over their natural resources. This marks the first time an Australian government has supported the resolution since its inception over two decades ago.
The move aligns Australia with 158 nations, including the UK and New Zealand, in recognizing Palestinian sovereignty over their land and resources. Meanwhile, the resolution faced opposition from seven states, including the US, Israel, and Canada, while 11 nations abstained. This development reflects growing international frustration with Israeli settlement expansion, forced evictions, and acts of settler violence against Palestinians—issues Australia’s government explicitly cited in explaining its vote.
Though significant, the resolution has drawn mixed reactions. For some, it marks progress toward holding Israel accountable for its actions. For others, including staunch pro-Israel advocates, it signifies a troubling departure from neutrality. What does this vote mean for Australia’s foreign policy and the broader Palestinian cause?
A Global Signal Against Occupation
The resolution’s overwhelming support in the UN committee is indicative of global impatience with Israel’s continued occupation and violations of Palestinian rights. Australia’s alignment with this majority reflects an acknowledgment of international law violations, particularly Israel’s ongoing settlement expansions and resource expropriation.
A spokesperson for Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong highlighted the resolution’s alignment with Australia’s commitment to a two-state solution. “Settlement activity, land dispossession, demolitions, and settler violence against Palestinians undermine stability,” the statement read. This stance appears to mark a departure from previous Australian governments, which avoided taking definitive positions on contentious aspects of the Israel-Palestine conflict.
The resolution also ties Palestinian sovereignty to natural resources, underscoring the devastating economic and environmental impacts of Israel’s occupation. These include restricted access to agricultural land, water sources, and energy resources, which have crippled Palestinian livelihoods.
Pro-Israel Pushback: US and Allies Reject the Resolution
Despite its broad support, the resolution faced sharp criticism from pro-Israel states. The US described it as “unbalanced” and “unfairly critical of Israel,” arguing that such resolutions exacerbate divisions instead of fostering peace. Israel and its allies have long framed such measures as biased, emphasizing Hamas and Hezbollah’s roles in perpetuating violence while downplaying Israeli actions in the Occupied Territories.
The Albanese government’s vote is unlikely to alter US-Australia relations dramatically, but it signals a growing divergence on Middle Eastern policy. As Alex Ryvchin of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry pointed out, “This shift in voting won’t change much in Israel… but it will be noticed in Washington.”
The Palestinian Perspective: “Long Overdue”
Pro-Palestinian advocates have welcomed Australia’s vote as a long-overdue recognition of the systemic injustices faced by Palestinians. Nasser Mashni, president of the Australia Palestine Advocacy Network, called the move “an acknowledgment of the catastrophic impact of Israel’s relentless appropriation and destruction of Palestinian resources.”
Mashni also emphasized the broader implications of the resolution, urging the Australian government to use all available tools—economic, political, and diplomatic—to address what he described as “Israel’s genocide, illegal occupation, and apartheid in Palestine.”
For Palestinians, the resolution represents more than symbolic recognition. It is a call for accountability and a step toward restoring sovereignty over their land, resources, and livelihoods.
Australia’s Balancing Act: Incremental Shifts, Clear Messages
This vote reflects a broader recalibration in Australia’s Middle East policy under the Albanese government. In May 2024, Australia supported a UN vote granting Palestine additional rights within the General Assembly. At the time, Wong described the decision as part of Australia’s commitment to a future two-state solution.
Yet Australia remains cautious on final-status issues like borders, security, and Jerusalem. These matters, it insists, must be resolved through negotiation. Such careful diplomacy suggests that while Australia is signaling its dissatisfaction with Israel’s actions, it is not yet ready to adopt a fully pro-Palestinian stance.
Implications for the Israel-Palestine Conflict
Australia’s shift comes against the backdrop of heightened tensions in the Middle East. Since Hamas’s October 7 attacks on southern Israel, the region has witnessed intensified violence and rhetoric. The Israeli government, buoyed by support from allies like the US, has ramped up military campaigns in Gaza and the West Bank, further entrenching the cycle of violence.
Meanwhile, international pressure on Israel is growing. The UN resolution serves as a reminder that global patience with Israel’s occupation is wearing thin. For Palestinians, Australia’s support is a small but meaningful step toward broader recognition and accountability.
A New Chapter in Australia’s Middle East Policy?
Australia’s vote on Palestinian sovereignty signals a significant, albeit cautious, shift in its approach to the Israel-Palestine conflict. By aligning with the international majority, it has sent a message that occupation and resource exploitation cannot go unchallenged.
For Palestinians, the move is a sign of growing global recognition of their struggle. But as long as powerful nations like the US remain steadfast in their support for Israel, meaningful change will remain elusive. The resolution is not a solution—but it is a start.
