‘World’s Worst Signal’ to Hamas: Australia Should Oppose UN Palestine Vote, Birmingham

Shadow Minister Simon Birmingham urged Australia to oppose it, noting Hamas needs to release the hostages.

Israel's Iron Dome anti-missile system intercepts rockets launched from the Gaza Strip, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, as seen from Ashkelon, Israel, on Jan. 1, 2024. Amir Cohen/Reuters

Shadow Foreign Minister Simon Birmingham has called on Australia to stand by its friendship with Israel and vote against a motion providing Palestine with more privileges.

However, Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong is remaining tight-lipped ahead of the U.N. General Assembly vote on May 10, which will consider Palestine membership to the U.N.