Peter Dutton claims Australia’s UN vote for Palestinian state a threat to ‘civilisation itself’

Peter Dutton has claimed Labor’s stance on a UN-vote calling for the “peaceful settlement of Palestine” as a threat to democracy and “civilisation itself”.

Australia changed its position on a UN vote calling for the peaceful settlement of Palestine alongside Israel - shifting from an abstention to voting in favour of the motion, alongside 157 members.

Eight countries voting against the motion, including Israel and the US.

Another seven nations abstained from the vote.

The Opposition Leader went on the attack over the move, claiming the vote against Israel went against Western values, with Israel the only democracy in the Middle East.

“And it’s not just about the Jewish community, not just about Israel. It’s about civilisation itself,” he said.

“And it’s about the values that we have as Westerners and as a culture that’s worth protecting and defending.”

Opposition home affairs spokesman James Paterson said that by “abandoned Israel”, Australia had “walked away from our closest and most important ally in the US”.

“I think that’s a very damaging and dangerous signal to send, particularly in an uncertain strategic environment when we need good and close friends to stand with us,” he told 2CC.

Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong said Australia needed to maintain its position as a “constructive middle power”.

“We don’t always get everything we want. But if, on balance, we believe the resolution will contribute to peace and a two-state solution, we will vote for it,” she said.

“On our own, Australia has few ways to move the dial in the Middle East. Our only hope is working within the international community to push for an end to the cycle of violence and work toward a two-state solution.”

Ms Wong has also long-maintained Australia’s support of a two-state solution as a means to achieve lasting peace in the region.

The Coalition’s position has appeared to waver, with Mr Dutton sidestepping a direct question on whether the contentious issue still had bipartisan support.

“When you see what happened on October 7, we’re not going to provide support to terrorist organisations, or to encouraging terrorist organisations,” he told reporters on Tuesday, while denying there was “contention” in the Liberal Party’s position.

The political attacks against Labor follows a criticised decision by Home Affairs and Immigration Minister Tony Burke to deny a visa to former Israeli minister Ayelet Shaked.

Ms Shaked was due to attend the Canberra-Jerusalem Strategic Dialogue, however Mr Burke said her visa, which could allow her to come the Australia and make public statements, could “seriously undermine social cohesion”.

“If somebody wanted to come here, and had previously said that they had nominated specific cities in Israel and said they should be completely levelled, I wouldn’t give them a visa to come here and make speeches,” he said.

“Ms Shaked has said specifically that about cities in Gaza, said that one of them should become a soccer field.”

The decision sparked reports the Australian ambassador to Israel had been summoned to be reprimanded by the Israeli government over the move.

Ms Shaked, a right-wing politician, served as minister for justice in Israel from 2015 until 2019 and was involved in the drafting of the controversial Basic Law.