Friday, June 15, 2018

New Kid on the Block?

On Wednesday, the UN General Assembly passed a resolution (GA/12028) condemning Israel for excessive use of force against Palestinian civilians and asked UN chief Antonio Guterres to recommend an 'international protection mechanism' for occupied Palestinian territory. Only eight countries voted against the resolution: Israel, the United States, Australia, the Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, Solomon Islands and Togo.

Much the same shameless Pacific line-up as usual, except that Palau's been replaced by the Solomons - a first time appearance as far as I can recall.

Now as it happens, the Solomon Islands' PM is currently visiting Australia, discussing "a new undersea internet cable between Australia, Papua New Guinea and the Solomons, which Australia is helping to fund." (Pacific 'pressured to cut ties with Taiwan', Primrose Riordan, The Australian, 14/6/18)

OK, if Australia is funding the thing, what's the Solomons' contribution? Just asking...

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

And not a peep from the Labor opposition I suppose?

Grappler said...

I had a brief look for the vote yesterday, MERC, fearing the worst when I saw that 8 countries voted against. Once again Australia has managed to go beyond even the likes of Canada and the UK. Leaving aside the bribed (pr blackmailed) countries, we are alone with Israel and the US. Talk about the wrong side of history!

MERC said...

We're so bloody predictable on this matter and so out on a limb - USrael and Australia. As stark as that.

Grappler said...

@Anonymous

Every significant political party in Australia supports what Israel is doing. I encourage you to consider this in the next election. I do *not* encourage you to read this on the Australian government website:

https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_Departments/Parliamentary_Library/Publications_Archive/CIB/cib9596/96CIB14