Australian Foreign Minister: Don’t Call Settlements Illegal under International Law – Raphael Ahren
(Daily Alert)

The international community should refrain from calling Israeli settlements illegal under international law, Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop told The Times of Israel in an interview. She said that, contrary to conventional diplomatic wisdom, the settlements may not be illegal under international law. “I would like to see which international law has declared them illegal.”

    “I don’t think it’s helpful to prejudge the settlement issue if you’re trying to get a negotiated solution,” said Bishop, who came to Israel on Monday to attend the funeral of former prime minister Ariel Sharon.

    Bishop also condemned excessive pressure on Israel by Western states and civil society, including the threat of boycotts. While private organizations were free to boycott whomever they wanted, any Australian body that received state funding should be barred from calling for boycotts, she said. (Times of Israel)