Debate resumed, on motion by Ms Vamvakinou:

That the House:

(1)

recognises the social, economic and human cost of the current Palestinian-Israeli conflict;

(2)

notes the broader implications of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict in terms of regional stability as well as diplomatic relations in the Middle East;

(3)

condemns all forms of violence as an obstacle to peace;

(4)

supports the renewal of diplomatic efforts to negotiate a just and lasting peace and recognises the efforts of the Quartet-led Road Map to peace in the Middle East;

(5)

notes the Middle East peace initiative formally announced by Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Abdullah during a meeting of the Arab League Summit in Beirut in March 2003;

(6)

acknowledges that a negotiated settlement to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict must necessarily involve both parties reaching agreement on final status issues, including the status of Jerusalem, the Right of Return for Palestinian refugees, settlements, security, borders and water;

(7)

supports the Australian Government’s recent decision to increase Australia’s development assistance program to the Palestinian Territories; and

(8)

believes that Australia has an important role to play as a middle power in encouraging peace initiatives between Palestinians and Israelis that are consistent with Australia’s commitment to multilateral diplomacy, responsible international citizenship and the principles of international law.

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