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Executive Council of Aus­trali­an Jewry president Daniel Aghion said:

“Even though the General Assembly res­ol­u­tion was watered down so as to provide the Palestini­ans with enhanced observer status at the UN rather than full mem­ber­ship, it should not have been supported.

“The Palestini­an lead­er­ship is as auto­crat­ic, corrupt and divided as ever, and remains incapable of forming a single gov­ern­ment with the capacity to rule over its claimed territory.  It continues to foment fanatical hatred and violence against Israel in the region and around the world.

“Nothing has changed that would justify the reward that the UN has given the Palestini­an lead­er­ship, with the Aus­trali­an government’s backing.   Instead of incentiv­ising the Palestini­ans to return to nego­ti­ations with Israel, such an unearned gain will do the opposite.  Grand­stand­ing at the UN will not change the realities on the ground.  It will do nothing to free the Israeli hostages or break the grip of Hamas and alleviate the plight of Gazan civilians.

“One can only conclude that Australia’s vote was driven by domestic political con­sid­er­a­tions, and not by principle, which makes it a sad and shameful day for all Aus­trali­ans.   Australia should have joined the UK, Canada and the US in abstain­ing or voting against the res­ol­u­tion.”