Australia declined to join 12 countries backing action on trade with illegal West Bank settlements, citing concerns about Palestinian livelihoods. The Palestinian Authority supports the restrictions – and Australia’s past approach to apartheid South Africa offers a pointed historical comparison.

The Australian Government’s refusal to acknowledge Israel’s West Bank apartheid regime is being accompanied by a similarly spineless decision not to apply a trade ban on the illegal West Bank settlements. And it now appears Australia was closely involved with the construction of the trade ban on West Bank goods, until a late change of mind, according to an ABC report.

The Australian Government says it is concerned that such a ban could inadvertently harm Palestinian businesses, workers and livelihoods. It is difficult to see what evidence underpins that concern. The Palestinian Authority (PA) has expressed strong support for the ban on multiple grounds. As set out by the PA, the ban would:

Provide a significant means of delegitimising the illegal settlements.

Help protect the two-state solution by inhibiting expansion of the illegal settlements and, in particular, the threatened E1 settlement.

Represent forceful action isolating settlement enterprises and going beyond mere political statements.

Translate international law into action which helps ensure regional and international........

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