The resurgence of the Israel-Palestine conflict undoubtedly impacts the global landscape, affecting political and economic conditions worldwide. Consequently, nations like Australia find themselves compelled to reassess their positions in response to this ongoing turmoil. While historically Australia has been a staunch supporter of Israel, recent developments, including Australia’s abstention at the United Nations General Assembly in October 2023, signal a notable shift (Beazley, 2023). This essay explores Australia’s evolving stance through a comprehensive analysis of its historical relations with Israel and Palestine, recent policy adjustments, and a constructivist examination of the underlying factors guiding these changes.
Historical Relations of Israel-Palestine
Australia’s close relationship with Israel is driven by strong historical factors, such as World War I, where Australian forces Australia fought in the Sinai-Palestine operations alongside Allied countries against the Ottomans. Furthermore, Australia played a prominent action with the Australian Light Horse in the Battle of Beersheba. These historical bands, coupled with the vibrant Jewish community in Australia, foster strong bilateral relations (Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, 2022). Notably, Australia became the first country to support the United Nations Partition Plan in 1947 to separate Jews and Palestinians, a resolution rejected by Palestine as it would lead to the establishment of Israel as a nation-state. This action exemplifies its early recognition of the conflict’s complexities, despite establishing diplomatic ties with Israel in 1949. Thus, Australia continued to advocate for Israel’s existence and rights on the international stage—by leading the vote on Israel’s acceptance as a member of the UN. As a result of their friendship, bilateral cooperation has also expanded across various sectors such as economics, security, defence, and technology innovation. For instance, in 2021, Israel became Australia’s 46th largest two-way trading partner and the 54th largest export market. This implies that the two-way trade in goods and services between Australia and Israel reached 1.34 billion Australian dollars—Australia’s exports valued at 325 million Australian dollars and imports from Israel totalling 1.02 billion Australian dollars.
In contrast to its close relationship with Israel, Australia’s engagement with Palestinian leaders tends to be less pronounced, reflecting the delicate balance between maintaining alliances and adhering to evolving global norms. Despite its commitment to support a two-state solution—a framework aimed at resolving the Israel-Palestine conflict by separating the Jewish and Palestinian states, to date, Australia’s recognition of Palestinian sovereignty remains a contentious issue (Napach, 2023). Nevertheless, Australia continues to assist Palestine, totalling AU$17.1 million in bilateral aid, AU$20.0 million to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) for Palestinian refugees in the Near East, and AU$28.7 million in official development assistance (ODA). Although the aid figures are relatively lower compared to other countries, Australia’s assistance is still important to Palestinian communities and regions.
Shifting Political Dynamics in Australia’s Stance
The ebb and flow of Australia’s political landscape, characterised by alternating leadership between the Labor and Liberal Parties, has shaped its approach to the Israel-Palestine conflict. While the Liberal Party historically maintained unwavering support for Israel, the Labor Party exhibited a more nuanced stance, balancing sympathy for Palestinian aspirations with continued backing for Israel’s security. Under Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, the Labor Party has begun to explicitly support Palestinian sovereignty and rights signalling a departure from previous administrations’ policies (Napach, 2023). This is evidenced by the government quietly retracting the previous coalition government’s acknowledgement of West Jerusalem as Israel’s capital in October 2022, conducted by removing the statement from the official website of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade following inquiries from The Guardian (Hurst, 2023). Additionally, Australia’s departure from its traditional pro-Israel stance is exemplified by its support for United Nations resolutions condemning Israeli settlements policy (Haaretz, 2022). Furthermore, Australia has officially adopted the term “Occupied Palestinian Territories” for the West Bank and Gaza (Hurst & Butler, 2023), while also accusing Israel of “systemic repression” against Palestinian communities and pledging to reinforce their rejection of illegal Israel settlements.
During Albanese’s administration, Australia chose to abstain from voting at the UN General Assembly meeting regarding the conflict, a different stance from its previous swift alignment with Israel. Quoting Penny Wong, Australia’s Foreign Minister, stated that Australia is “rebalancing” its approach to Israel and Palestine (Haaretz, 2022). Wong acknowledged and recognized a shift in Australia’s foreign policy practices in response to the Israel-Palestine situation. Despite this adjustment, Australia maintains a strong friendship with Israel. Moreover, Albanese affirmed that his government will continue to be a strong supporter of Israel, even though officially reverting to the term “Occupied Palestinian Territories” (Napach, 2023). This highlights Australia’s ongoing challenge in defining its position on the matter.
Australia Stance: Constructivism Perspective
Australia’s evolving approach to the Israel-Palestine conflict can be understood through a constructivist lens, which emphasises how norms and ideas shape state behaviour and identity. According to Barnett (2014), constructivism highlights the socially constructed nature of an actor’s identity and interests, influenced by recognized norms and ideas within the international community. In the context of foreign policy, this perspective suggests that a state’s behaviour is influenced by its established state identity and the norms it embraces. A constructivist analysis unveils the underlying dynamics driving Australia’s stance on the Israel-Palestine conflict. At the core of Australia’s position lies its commitment to human rights and international humanitarian norms (Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, 2020). This commitment is evidenced by its early endorsement of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and its continued support for various international agreements to safeguard human rights.
In the context of the Israel-Palestine conflict, Australia’s support for Palestinian self-determination underscores its adherence to humanitarian principles. The nation’s diplomatic trajectory is also influenced by shifting public sentiment. A survey reported by The Guardian (2023) showed a growing inclination (21%) to support Palestinians, with a decrease in support for Israel (17%), and most respondents (61%) advised Australia not to become fully involved in the conflict. This growing public awareness has exerted pressure on policymakers to reassess Australia’s diplomatic approach to the conflict.
Australia’s active engagement in addressing the humanitarian crisis in the region further solidifies its commitment to global humanitarian efforts. Through bilateral assistance, contributions to the United Nations, and Official Development Assistance (ODA), Australia provides tangible support for initiatives aimed at alleviating suffering and fostering stability in conflict-affected areas. The consistent increase in aid allocation underscores Australia’s unwavering dedication to addressing the root causes of the conflict and supporting those affected by its consequences.
By aligning its actions with international humanitarian norms, Australia reinforces its identity as a nation dedicated to advancing human rights and fostering global cooperation. Its proactive involvement in the Israel-Palestine conflict reflects not only its values but also its willingness to engage constructively in resolving complex international issues. In this manner, Australia’s participation serves as a testament to its role as a responsible member of the global community, committed to promoting peace and stability in conflict-ridden regions.
In conclusion, Australia has a complex approach to the Israel-Palestine conflict that reflects the intricate interplay of historical legacies, evolving global norms, and domestic political dynamics. While historical ties with Israel persist, Australia’s commitment to upholding international norms necessitates a delicate balancing act. Through a constructivist lens, Australia’s policy evolution emerges as a complex interplay of normative frameworks and identity politics. As Australia navigates the complexities of the Middle East, its evolving stance underscores the dynamic nature of contemporary international relations. Although Australia has a friendly relationship with Israel, they must also pay attention to the suffering conditions of Palestine. Australia’s change in stance is considered an attempt to maintain a balanced relationship with both countries so as not to overlap. However, whether Australia will remain neutral or favour Palestine in the future remains a question mark.
