The Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed on Wednesday the announcement by Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, that the Australian government intends to reuse the term “occupied Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem”, and will consider Israeli settlements “illegal”.
Ahmed Abu Zeid, the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, described the step as positive and important on the path of consolidating and respecting international legitimacy and protecting Palestinian rights.
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said on Tuesday that the government would start using the term “occupied territories” in reference to Palestinian territories and settlements in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, a move welcomed by Palestine.
In a speech at the party congress of the Workers ‘ Party, Wong said the government was looking to “strengthen the government’s opposition to the settlements by emphasizing that they are illegal under international law and pose a significant obstacle to peace.
“The Australian government will confirm that the settlements are illegal and will return to the status of the Occupied Palestinian Territories,” Wong said.
In her speech, the Australian Foreign Minister added that Australia’s position will be consistent with the decisions of other countries as well as the resolutions of the UN General Assembly and the UN Security Council.
By adopting the term, we make it clear that the West Bank, including East Jerusalem and Gaza, was occupied by Israel after the 1967 war and that the occupation continues.
For its part, the Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed in a press statement this important development in the Australian position committed to international law and UN resolutions.
The statement added that this development supports international efforts aimed at reviving the peace process in accordance with international peace references, foremost of which is the principle of a two-state solution.
