[Australia]: Message to Israel [SEC=TOP SECRET]

[Owen]

​

PRIME MINISTER​

SECURITY CLASSIFICATION: TOP SECRET​

30 April 2009

Dear Prime Minister Bennett, The Government of Australia is becoming increasingly concerned about developments within Israel in regards to the Oslo Accords and non-recognition of the State of Palestine. Ontop of the already developing situation in Turkey, it is clear that the Middle East is becoming volatile. Australia was one of the first nations in the world to recognise the State of Israel and Australian statesman and former Labor Party leader, H.V. "Doc" Evatt, was a big champion of the State of Israel in its early days. However, we have always known the importance of peace and for a peaceful settlement between Israel and Palestine. To that end, Australia is willing to use its diplomatic prowess to help achieve this goal and also our military capabilities in order to enforce and maintain peace. The Australian Defence Force has a long history of the deployment of peacekeepers and we are willing, ready and able to do it again along Israel's borders with Palestine, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan and Egypt. Ideally, we would like to have a coalition of nations contributing to a peacekeeping force, should Israel facilitate their free passage. We should be doing everything in our power to stop conflict breaking out in this region again. Yours sincerely, Julia Gillard.

Parliament House, CANBERRA, ACT 2600 Telephone: (02) 6277 7700​

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Zak

 

[Zak]

STATE OF ISRAEL​

Dear Prime Minister Gillard,

Thank you for your correspondence and for outlining your concerns regarding developments in the Middle East.

While Australia remains committed to peace, stability and diplomatic engagement, I must firmly reject the proposal to deploy Australian Defence Force personnel as part of a peacekeeping force along Israel’s borders at this time.

Israel has made clear its decision not to recognise the State of Palestine, and that decision, while politically significant and open to diplomatic disagreement, remains a matter of Israel’s sovereign foreign policy. States have historically retained the ability to determine which governments and entities they recognise diplomatically. Australia may hold a different position, but disagreement with Israel’s decision does not in itself constitute grounds for a military deployment.

There is currently no invasion threat, no active war requiring Australian peacekeepers, no ceasefire requiring international monitoring, and no established peacekeeping mandate along Israel’s borders with Palestine, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan or Egypt. The existence of political disagreements surrounding Palestinian statehood and the Oslo framework should not automatically be treated as an imminent military crisis.

Deploying Australian Defence Force personnel without a clear mandate, operational necessity and the consent of the relevant parties could introduce unnecessary risks and potentially create further tensions. Peacekeepers should be deployed where there is a genuine and clearly established peacekeeping requirement, not simply because there is disagreement over diplomatic recognition.

Australia should instead continue to use its diplomatic capabilities to encourage dialogue, restraint and negotiations between the parties. Supporting peace does not require Australia to militarily intervene every time there is a significant diplomatic disagreement.

Israel's non-recognition of Palestine should therefore be addressed through diplomatic and political engagement, not through the deployment of Australian military personnel. Should circumstances change through the outbreak of an armed conflict, the establishment of a ceasefire, or a formal agreement requesting an international peacekeeping presence, we will reassess Australia's position

Until such circumstances arise, there is no sufficient operational or strategic justification for the proposed deployment. Australia should decline the proposal and remain focused on diplomacy, regional stability and supporting conditions for a negotiated and lasting peace.

Kind Regards,
Naftali Bennett
Prime Minister
State of Israel

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Owen