Australia reaffirms our view that the Human Rights Council brings disproportionate scrutiny to Israel. 
We do not support the proposition that Israel is the only country that is a permanent item on the HRC agenda, which is why Australia does not and will not engage in Item 7 of the Council’s debate and why we retain our fundamental concerns about the nature of the Commission of Inquiry.

We agree that settlements remain an obstacle to peace and contribute to the impasse we now see. 
But the report does little to assuage our fundamental concerns about the mandate of the Commission of Inquiry. Its broad and one-sided recommendations are further evidence of the mandate’s excessive and one-sided scope.

We will support initiatives which bring us closer to a negotiated solution.

Australia remains deeply concerned about the ongoing conflict, loss of life, human rights violations and abuses, and the lack of progress towards a just and enduring two-state solution.

Sadly, the current report does little to advance the cause for peace.

Australia’s guiding principle will be advancing the cause for peace. Viewing any conflict from one perspective will not achieve that goal.

Thank you.