ALP senator laments Gillard's Palestine stand

[Matilda]

A PROMINENT Labor senator has expressed dismay at Julia Gillard's decision to overrule Kevin Rudd on a key United Nations vote on Palestine.

NSW Labor Senator Doug Cameron said Australia had missed a chance to help win peace in the Middle East.

(snip)

The Age revealed yesterday Mr Rudd had also urged Australia to abstain from a separate resolution on Palestine becoming a member of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation, only for Ms Gillard to ignore the advice and side with Israel, the US and 11 other countries in opposing the proposal.

Senator Cameron said yesterday he supported Mr Rudd's position and that recognition would have helped their cause and not harmed Israel. ''It would have meant we could take a very small step towards fixing the problems in the Middle East, which is so important in the overall fight against terrorism,'' he said.

http://www.theage.com.au/national/alp-senator-laments-gillards-palestine-stand-20111104-1n0dj.html

I'm so pleased to read that Kevin Rudd supported the Palestinian bid for membership of UNESCO, because his official position is that he supports the government stand.

But it's yet another instance where Julia Gillard is out of step with the public mood, while Kevin Rudd has his finger right on the pulse, although I'd have preferred him to go one better and recommend an affirmative vote.

I despair, I really do.

[Violet_Crumble]

1. The sooner Gillard's gone, the better...

I wish Australia would stop blindly following the lead of the US and in doing so showing that it isn't interested in peace in the Middle East, but in joining the US and Israel in trying frantically to freeze the Palestinians out of international organisations that would give them legitimacy and hope. They've been urged for years by the US to pursue legitimate avenues rather than violence, and when they do it the US is there to kick them in the balls...

[Matilda]

2. Also not impressed with their lack of concern for the rights of Michael Coleman.

He claims he was physically abused, and that he and others detained from the Freedom Flotilla are being subjected to sleep deprivation and mental torture.

But not a peep from Gillard or Rudd. If the U.S. or Israel imprisons Australians, they will be hung out to dry.

[Violet_Crumble]

3. They're too busy getting their priorities right by drinking hot chocolates at Max Brenner...

Kevin Rudd really disappointed me with his photo op silliness. I thought he was better than that. How quickly ALP leaders forget that incident with the fake passports....