United Nations
Australia joins 142 nations in backing Palestinian statehood in UN vote
In a day of high emotion at UN headquarters, Israel’s UN ambassador theatrically inserted a miniature copy of the charter into a transparent paper shredder.
- by Matthew Knott and Rachel Clun
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Israeli-Palestinian conflict
Australia set to back watered-down United Nations resolution on Palestine
Australian government sources said a watered-down version of the motion contained major concessions by the Palestinians and Arab nations.
- by James Massola and Matthew Knott
Updated
Israeli-Palestinian conflict
Hamas says it accepts ceasefire deal while Israel claims operations continue
Potential ceasefire talks come as Australia is preparing to cast a potentially controversial vote on whether to admit Palestine as a full member of the United Nations.
- by Matthew Knott and Reuters
More than 170 countries want to reduce plastic globally. A handful are stalling
Australia is attempting to help a global push to end plastic pollution before it outweighs the biomass of the world’s fish by the year 2050. But other countries have different ambitions.
- by Mike Foley
UN calls for investigation into mass graves at Gaza hospitals raided by Israel
The US State Department has called the reports “incredibly troubling” and asked the Israeli government for information.
- by Edith Lederer
Palestinians vow to fight on after US vetoes full UN membership
Among the 12 countries recognising Palestine were US allies France, Japan and South Korea.
- by Edith Lederer
Opinion
Israeli-Palestinian conflict
Starvation is true horror. Sanctions against Israel are Australia’s only choice
To be morally consistent with previous actions and to uphold to amendments Wong herself pushed for, Australia must change its tune towards Israel.
- by Marc Purcell
Julie Bishop named United Nations special envoy for Myanmar
Myanmar has been locked in civil war since the army took power from Aung Suu Kyi’s elected government in 2021.
- by Michael Mehr and John Kidman
Analysis
Israeli-Palestinian conflict
UN vote shows Biden has finally had enough of Netanyahu
Even fierce Israel defender Donald Trump is fed up with the conflict: “You have to finish up your war ... you’re losing a lot of support.”
- by Matthew Knott
UN votes for immediate Gaza ceasefire after US abstains, Netanyahu furious
The US decision not to veto the resolution has infuriated Israel, prompting Netanyahu to cancel a high-level visit to Washington.
- by Michelle Nichols and Nidal al-Mughrabi
Russia, China veto UN resolution calling for immediate ceasefire in Gaza
The US-sponsored resolution called for an immediate ceasefire to protect civilians and enable humanitarian aid to be delivered to more than 2 million hungry Palestinians.
- by Edith M. Lederer