Australia, a staunch supporter of Israel, wins seat on U.N. Security Council
When Australia voted in UNESCO against elevating Palestine to quasi-statehood, alarms were raised that it would undo Australia's bid for a seat on the United Nations Security Council. In fact, Australia has resisted several opportunities over the past year to abstain or to vote in favor on the Unilateral Declaration of a Palestinian State in order to gain the votes of the Arab and Muslim blocs of nations in the world body. Despite these qualms raised by some, Australia was just elected to serve as a non-permanent member on the United Nations Security Council for 2013 and 2014.
Cabinet Secretary Mark Dreyfus outlines Prime Minister Julia Gillard's and the Labour Government's firm support for Israel in the year's prior to the election for the United Nations Security Council. In his remarks, Dreyfus stated that "the Government of Australia supports the State of Israel, and that we do so one hundred percent .... Australia is not merely an ally of Israel. Australia is a friend." Reiterating the government's support for a two-state solution, Dreyfus quoted the Labour Prime Minister remarks: "... the only durable basis for resolution of this conflict is negotiation." Dreyfus concludes by noting that "this is a time when Israel, more than ever, needs its friends to rally around it to ensure its security. This is a time when the region truly needs a just and lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians."