SYDNEY, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- Former Australian Prime Minister, Bob Hawke, called on the Australian Government to officially recognise Palestine on Monday, ahead of a visit by the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu next week.
Hawke penned a harsh rebuke to Israel in the Australian Financial Review, despite being well known for his support of their sovereignty, and says the Israeli government's decision to construct 2,500 new settlements on the West Bank in January displayed "contempt" for the United Nations.
"Australia was there at the very beginning. The least we can do now, in these most challenging of times, is to do what 137 other nations have already done, grant diplomatic recognition to the State of Palestine," Hawke said.
The opinions held by Hawke have also found support from within the Australian Jewish community, with the Australia/Israel and Jewish Affairs Council (AIJAC) releasing a statement on Tuesday from their national chairman, Mark Liebler, and executive director Colin Rubenstein, that echoed the sentiments of the former Australian leader, but tempered restraint in terms of Palestine.
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