NAOMI LEVIN

THE Jewish community is calling on the Australian Government to stick to its guns in its support for Israel, despite Arab representatives attempting to blackmail the country into changing its views or lose the chance of a United Nations (UN) seat.

As reported in The Australian this week, Arab League representative Hashem Yousseff, who is currently in the country, said Australia’s staunch support for the Jewish State will be “taken into consideration” when Arab nations vote on whether Australia should take a temporary UN Security Council seat in 2013-14.

The Israeli embassy in Canberra issued a statement rejecting Yousseff’s logic.

“Any nation considering their support for a vote on a Security Council seat should first reflect on the merits of the nominee and the contribution that they may make to international affairs, before considering their own self-interest,” it declared.

“Australia has illustrated its dedication to upholding its values in the international sphere.”

Israel has already offered its support for Australia’s bid at a seat on the UN’s most influential body.

“We believe Australia is a nation of principle and dedication to the betterment of worldwide citizens,” the statement read.

Meanwhile, Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ) president Robert Goot accused the 22-nation Arab League of using bullying tactics.

“He [Yousseff] should know that Australians do not succumb to standover behaviour,” Goot said.

“It would be a good thing for Australia to have a seat on the UN Security Council, but not if the price for obtaining it is to abandon our principles and bow to bully-boy threats.”

Goot put his confidence in the Australian Government, saying he believes Australia’s leaders “has the moral fibre” to continue supporting Israel, a two-state solution and peace in the Middle East.

Dr Colin Rubenstein from the Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council argued Yousseff’s comments were unsurprising considering his organisation’s track record.

“Unfortunately, the Arab League has rarely displayed any inclination to be a constructive force for Middle East peace and their traditionally retrograde and unhelpful strategy of focusing on boycotts and diplomatic posturing to isolate, condemn and debunk Israel was again on display in Mr Yousseff’s statements,” Dr Rubenstein said.

Australia, together with the United States, Canada and a number of micro-states, consistently opposes anti-Israel motions in the UN General Assembly.

Since the Rudd Government won its term, Australia has changed its decision on three unbinding votes pertaining to Israel, but it remained one of only a handful of nations last year to reject the adoption of the controversial Goldstone report on the Gaza war.