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

Australia’s long-held position is that no country is above scrutiny. We agree we must work to counter impunity and promote accountability on the basis of consistent and universally applied standards.

Australia agrees that the Human Rights Council brings a 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 CoI.

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