Australia Abstains From UN Resolution on Israel, Edges Closer to Recognition of Palestinian State

Australia has abstained from voting on a Palestinian resolution put forward at the United Nations (U.N.) that called for Israel to withdraw from Gaza, East Jerusalem, and the West Bank. The move comes as Australia’s ambassador to the U.N. said the nation was nearing recognition of a Palestinian state as an integral part of the peace process. Foreign Minister Penny Wong told ABC Radio that she had sought amendments to the resolution because she had wanted to see it approved, however when this failed, Australia decided to abstain. Wong did not elaborate in detail on Australia’s demands around amendments, and her office did not respond to a request from The Epoch Times for this information....