Australia ‘deeply disappointed’ by Israeli PM’s statements

SYDNEY: The Australian government said it was deeply disappointed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's statements, in which he rejected international calls to find a path to establishing a Palestinian state. Australian Assistant Foreign Minister Tim Watts said that Netanyahu's statements undermine the prospects for reaching peace, and that "we urge Israel to "fulfill" its obligation to respect international law." Speaking to Sky News, Watts added that the Australian government still believes that there cannot be any reduction in the size of Gaza's territory, nor any permanent Israeli presence inside Gaza. He stressed that his country's government has always supported the two-state solution, under which Israelis and Palestinians can "live side by side in security and prosperity within internationally agreed borders." On a trip to the region last week, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong renewed calls for "the path to a Palestinian state." Watts stressed that Netanyahu's statements were "extre mely disappointing," stressing that the Australian government "supports the aspirations of the Palestinian people for self-determination, and ultimately to establish their own state." He said that there is another obstacle to peace, which is illegal settlement activity in the West Bank. He added that the loss of innocent lives in Gaza was "horrific" and must stop. Source: Palestine news and Information Agency – WAFA