Detached From Reality And Abandoning Israel: Australian Prime Minister’s Naive Declaration Of Palestinian Statehood
August 16, 2025
By Dean Dwyer
Reprinted from Harbinger’s Daily
(Queensland, Australia) — G’day from the Land Down Under. For those familiar with geography, you will know that Australia is called “the Land Down Under” because of its location in the southern hemisphere, below many of the northern continents. However, many remnant believers feel that Australia is not just under the equator but also about to find itself under God’s wrath as a result of recent decisions which indicate that Australia is abandoning the national interests of Israel. Before we get to that, let’s go back to the beginning.
Nationally, Australia has had a warm relationship with Israel for decades. To this day, Israel fondly remembers the contribution by Australian troops during the First World War when, alongside their Allied counterparts, they dislodged the Ottomans during the iconic Battle of Beersheba. The taking of Beersheba was the first crucial step in bringing an end to Ottoman rule in the Holy Land and began a chain of events that culminated in the establishment of the modern State of Israel in 1948. On the website of the Embassy of Israel in Canberra, these words are included in the timeline of Australian/Israeli relations: “In the U.N. General Assembly vote on 29 November 1947, the partition was approved. Australia was the first country to vote ‘Yes’. As the first nation to vote in favour of the resolution, Australia has been described as the midwife at the rebirth of the State of Israel in 1948.”
It wasn’t until 1987 that a serving Australian Prime Minister visited Israel. His name was Bob Hawke and he had a deep personal interest in Israel and Jewish affairs. In fact, he said to his biographer: “If I were to have my life again, I would want to be born a Jew.” He had visited Israel much earlier in his role as President of the Australian Council of Trade Unions during which he had the privilege of meeting Golda Meir. In words that have since proven timeless, he said after his return, “If the bell tolls for Israel, it won’t just toll for Israel, it will toll for all mankind.”
Mr. Hawke was the son of a minister and clearly benefited from being raised in a Christian home. Sadly, in his early twenties, he rejected Christianity and lived his days as an agnostic. Nevertheless, in his memoirs, he credited his parents with instilling in him “basic Christian principles of brotherhood and compassion” that drove his public life. “[They] fostered in me,” he explained, “beliefs and precepts which were to guide me in my future career.” It was perhaps these principles that led to his crucial support of Israel, particularly during his political career. Three years into his term as Prime Minister (a position he held from 1983 to 1991), he stood firmly against the U.N. General Assembly Resolution 3379 introduced on 10 November 1975. That resolution declared Zionism to be “a form of racism and racial discrimination.” Others were less tactful, referring to Zionism “as a threat to world peace” and a “racist and imperialist ideology.”
Unfortunately, Mr. Hawke’s commitment to Israel would not stand the test of time. In 2017, on the eve of Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to Australia, he joined other high-ranking political figures in calling on Australia to recognise a Palestinian state. In reality, his views had changed much earlier. It was reported that after returning from his Middle East trip in 1987, he began to view the Palestinian national struggle in the same vein as the fight against Apartheid in South Africa and the plight of Jews in the Soviet Union. His political influence and conviction on the issue of Palestinian statehood did not wane, even after decades out of the top job. During the time Julia Gillard was Prime Minister, she wanted Australia to vote against giving the Palestinian Authority observer status at the U.N. Despite her strong convictions on the matter, after lobbying from senior members (including Bob Hawke), she decided Australia would abstain. From this point on, it was clear that Israel could no longer count on Australia’s unwavering support at the U.N.
Entering the modern day, Australia finds itself governed by one of the most incompetent leaders of the modern era. His name is Anthony Albanese. Since 2002, he has been very vocal about Palestinian rights, even going so far as to compare the Israeli government’s record on human rights to that of Saddam Hussein. In a largely forgotten speech in 2002, Mr. Albanese made disparaging and ill-timed remarks against Israel when he was the Labor Opposition’s spokesman for employment services and training. You may be wondering what a spokesman for domestic employment services and training is doing commenting on foreign policy. I am too. Nevertheless, he made unfounded accusations, such as these: “Israelis continue to demonise all Palestinians as terrorists, Palestinians experience Israelis as occupiers and employers of cheap labour, interrogators and jailers.”
No surprise then that as he continues to dismiss the security concerns of Israel, Mr. Albanese is moving ahead with recognition of the State of Palestine. The website of the Prime Minister of Australia states as follows: “Australia will recognise the State of Palestine at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in September, to contribute to international momentum towards a two-state solution, a ceasefire in Gaza and release of the hostages.” As part of his announcement, he claims that Hamas will have no role to play in the future governance of the State of Palestine. His confidence stems from assurances given by the Palestinian Authority and the Arab League. Recent history informs us that neither are reliable partners since they will readily prioritise self-interest (and broader Arab interest) above the needs of Israel in spite of any verbal or written undertakings previously given. Therefore, rather than displaying his statesmanship, Mr Albanese has actually revealed his naivety.
During his radical 2002 speech (which he still proudly displays on his personal website), Mr. Albanese said: “One of the lessons of September 11 is that military power is not enough in the modern world—security can only be achieved by a victory of humane, democratic values. The Palestinian-Israeli conflict unfortunately remains the best example of the virtues of this lesson.” If you didn’t think Mr. Albanese was naïve before, surely this confirms it. After two of the worst terrorist atrocities in the modern era (September 11 and October 7), Mr. Albanese finds little room for mourning the victims but instead uses his political platform on both occasions to champion Palestinian rights.
Sadly, Australian Jews are not surprised by the Australian Government’s announcement. In a recently published statement, the Executive Council of Australian Jewry said: “Israel will feel wronged and abandoned by a longstanding ally. The Palestinian Authority will feel that a huge diplomatic prize has been dropped in its lap, despite its consistent failures to reform, democratise and agree to peaceful coexistence alongside a Jewish state. Hamas and other Islamist groups will see that barbarity on a grand scale can lead to desired political transformation.” According to Alex Ryvchin (co-chief executive of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry), “They [Hamas] view the creation of a Palestinian state alongside Israel as a leap towards eventual conquest and slaughter of the Jews. This is why they praise our prime minister.”
During Australia’s recent internal economic and domestic challenges, it has been clear that Mr. Albanese is a leader detached from reality. Now he has proven that he is detached from reality on foreign affairs also. U.S. Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, claimed that President Trump was disgusted at Australia’s decision. I can safely say that many remnant believers in Australia share that sentiment.
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