Benjamin Netanyahu in Australia: challenge to Hawke, Rudd
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has challenged Bob Hawke and Kevin Rudd to
define what they mean by Palestinian statehood, saying a “terrorist state” would be the likely outcome unless Israel retained full control of military security in the territories.
“I prefer not to deal with labels but with substance, but I have a simple question for both former prime ministers: what kind of state will it be,” Mr Netanyahu said after meeting with Malcolm Turnbull at Kirribilli House in Sydney.
Mr Rudd this morning called for the federal Opposition to make recognition of Palestinian statehood Labor policy, following similar calls from Mr Hawke and other ALP luminaries.
“A state which calls for Israel’s destruction? A state whose territories will be used for radical Islam? Israel already gave up Gaza to the Palestinian Authority and this became a terrorist state.
“Secondly, we know that in the realities of the Middle East, if Israel does not ensure the security (of Palestine) then that state will become another bastion of radical Islam. We have to make sure the Palestinians recognise the Jewish state, and we have to ensure Israel has responsibility for security over all the territories.”
