Australia: Palestinian Pursuit of UN Membership Builds Momentum for Peace

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong stated today that "Australia's support for the Palestinian pursuit of full membership in the United Nations is part of building the momentum needed to secure peace in the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza." Wong said at a press conference in Adelaide, "A large part of our region's voice, and many of our partners, also voted yes. We all know that a single voice will not end this conflict, which has extended throughout our lives, but we all must do what we can to build momentum towards peace." Australia voted yesterday, along with the overwhelming majority in the UN General Assembly, in favor of a resolution that would effectively recognize a Palestinian state. The resolution recommended the Security Council "to reconsider the matter positively." Last month, the United States vetoed a recommendation for "the acceptance of the State of Palestine's membership" in a Security Council vote. The issue of Palestinian membership is one of the few diplomatic matters where the close allies, the United States and Australia, differ.