Australia's changing votes on annual Israel-related resolutions at the UN General Assembly

Journal article

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In Journal Issue

Australian Jewish Historical Society Journal, 23, 4 (2018)

Author Peter Wertheim AbstractThere are two pervasive beliefs about the United Nations (UN): firstly that it is a democratic body; and secondly that it is the world's parliament of States. However, a careful study of the structure and operations of the United Nations reveals that it is not democratic, and that the concept that it is 'the world's parliament' lacks substance. This article will provide a brief background to the annual UN Israel-related resolutions and discuss Australia's voting record since 1996 on this raft of resolutions which are routinely passed by the General Assembly and its Committees with a detailed table of Australia's votes. It will then compare the statements and actions of two foreign ministers from opposite sides of politics: Liberal MP Alexander Downing (1996-2007) and Labor MP Dr Herbert Vere Evatt (1947-1949).
Year2018
Pages739-751