From the Labor Conference podium: Israel sabotages peace talks

Has the Australian Labor Party crossed the line by singling out Israel as the reason peace negotiations with the Palestinians have failed?

At the Federal Labor Conference today Wendy Turner, who seconded a motion that described East Jerusalem as an Occupied Territory, said while supporting the motion that “Israel has sadly continued to sabotage peace talks sponsored by the US”.

During her speech, which she didn’t once criticise Hamas, she said that the Israeli government has “crossed a bridge to far, in fact many bridges too far” and that “enough is enough”.

“The Palestinian people have been denied the right to self determination due sadly to the culture of impunity granted to Israel.”

Turner’s comments are not in the motion itself, but her comments were left unchallenged and the room stayed quiet at a conference that has been noted for cheers and boos from the delegates.

Tony Burke said the motion itself, which was passed unanimously, could disappoint people on both sides.

“This will disappoint anyone who thinks negotiations should go on forever,” Burke said.

“This will also disappoint anyone who wants unilateral recognition for Palestine tomorrow.”

Full details and reactions from communal leaders in this week’s AJN.