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Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd. (Reuters)
Last update - 11:46 12/03/2008
Australian parliament lauds Israel as 'custodian of freedom'
By DPA
Tags: Israel, Palestinians 

The Australian Parliament on Wednesday congratulated Israel on 60 years of statehood, describing it as a "robust democracy" and a "custodian of freedom" in a region abounding in autocracies and theocracies.

The bipartisan motion in Parliament was interrupted by a protester in the public gallery who shouted, "What about the UN resolution?" before being hustled out of the chamber.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd reaffirmed Australia's commitment to a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian problem, noting that the United Nations had recommended independent Jewish and Arab states 60 years ago.
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"We firmly believe the establishment of an independent and economically viable Palestinian state must remain a key objective of the Israeli peace process," Rudd said. "This is important for the future, ... just as our objective must be for Israel to exist within secure and internationally recognized boundaries."

Rudd praised Israel for its "robust democracy" and said it represented a "cause for hope."

Opposition Liberal Party leader Brendan Nelson said that in a region "characterized more by theocracies or autocracies, Israel and
the state of Israel is the custodian of the most fragile and yet most powerful of human emotions - that is hopeful belief in the freedom of man, freedom of speech, freedom of religion and freedom of assembly."

Nelson, who seconded the motion, said "no Australian who believes in the dignity of man, of freedom and democratic principles, should ever allow, through neglectful indifference, to allow Israel to be a stranger. To do so would be to diminish ourselves and our own security."

There was a small group of protesters outside Parliament House in Canberra and large advertisements placed in national newspapers condemning the motion.

The signatories to the advertisement, which included members of the Labor Party and heads of unions that helped finance its campaigning in the November election that saw Rudd triumph, condemned what they said was a "celebration of the triumph of racism and the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians since the al-Nakba (Catastrophe) of 1948."

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      1.   Aussies Apologized to Aborg, Avidor Wants to Expel Israeli Arabs 10:15  |  Orren Merton 12/03/08
      2.   Way, way down under 10:17  |  Marlene N. 12/03/08
      3.   Is AIPAC putting out its feelers to Australia....???? 10:40  |  Swiss (Dino) 12/03/08
      4.   Bonza!!!! 10:45  |  The Judge 12/03/08
      5.   Mr Rudd scared of Jews 10:46  |  Fran 12/03/08
      6.   Even two opposition parties can agree 10:46  |  Tania 12/03/08
      7.   Australin Reality Check 11:03  |  Andrew 12/03/08
      8.   ARE PEOPLE BEGINNING TO UNDERSTAND?!? 11:06  |  James 12/03/08
      9.   Australia 11:07  |  jonathon 12/03/08
      10.   Criminals support criminals 11:13  |  Observor 12/03/08
      11.   Congradulations to both Australia and Israel! 11:15  |  US CITIZEN 12/03/08
      12.   Have the Palestinians apologised for murdering Israelis?#1 11:16  |  x-ray 12/03/08
      13.   Jonathon in Sydney 11:20  |  The Judge 12/03/08
      14.   Child Soldiers of the PA 11:25  |  Jean Van Daem 12/03/08
      15.   Re-No 1 11:26  |  American Christian 12/03/08
      16.   Nothing but Racists Countries Patting Each Other on The Backs 11:32  |  Johan Odin 12/03/08
      17.   Way, way down under -side 2 11:33  |  American Christian 12/03/08
      18.   To Oren Merton 11:35  |  Avichai 12/03/08
      19.   Well Done Prime Minister! 11:35  |  ATLAS 12/03/08
      20.   Mr Bush scared of Arabs 11:40  |  American Christian 12/03/08
      21.   O.MERTON.Al Naqba is Arab double talk for failure to steal it all 11:42  |  PETER SM 12/03/08
      22.   Proportion 11:44  |  JR 12/03/08
      23.   #16--Johan Odin--time to wake up! 11:46  |  US CITIZEN 12/03/08
      24.   G`day Mate! 11:48  |  Michael 12/03/08
      25.   FRAN."Proud" of MP Julia Irwin who has a large Arab constituency 11:50  |  PETER SM 12/03/08
      26.   To *5 Fran 11:54  |  Michael J 12/03/08
      27.   Don`t worry Marlene 12:05  |  kiwi girl 12/03/08
      28.   To #5 Fran - Mr Rudd is careful not afraid 12:13  |  Paul 12/03/08
      29.   RUDD Afraid of the Zionist Media 12:15  |  joe blow 12/03/08
      30.   MARLENE.Way off the planet.Saying the oppositte in English&Arabic 12:22  |  PETER SM 12/03/08
      31.   Kiwi girl 12:34  |  Rab Burns 12/03/08
      32.   # 3 Swiss.. Bi-partisan motion in Parliament 12:40  |  Lynn 12/03/08
      33.   #23-I`m Sure The Nazis Would Have Appreciated Your Support 12:43  |  Johan Odin 12/03/08
      34.   kiwi girl2 12:43  |  Rab Burns 12/03/08
      35.   #31 Rab Burns 12:52  |  Paul 12/03/08
      36.   kiwi 3 12:53  |  Rab Burns 12/03/08
      37.   BLOW."WE now have all our mid east material cencored by an Israel 12:54  |  PETER SM 12/03/08
      38.   KIWI Girl.Its all money?Then you have nothing to worry about. 13:01  |  PETER SM 12/03/08
      39.   #35 Paul 13:04  |  Rab Burns 12/03/08
      40.   # 32 Lynn, the difference between CONGRATULATION and ADULATION 13:08  |  Swiss (Dino) 12/03/08
      41.   Johan odin # 16 13:09  |  David Nigel Braham 12/03/08
      42.   #29 Joe 13:09  |  Rab Burns 12/03/08
      43.   actions speak louder than words 13:10  |  DC 12/03/08
      44.   #39 Rab Burns 13:27  |  Paul 12/03/08
      45.   Kevin Rudd 13:29  |  Robin 12/03/08
      46.   "But the Enperor`s wearing no new clothes" 2nd attempt 13:35  |  Clickfool 12/03/08
      47.   No 43 peter sm 13:35  |  joe blow 12/03/08
      48.   60 years of statehood Vs 60 years of occupation 13:36  |  Mary 12/03/08
      49.   41David Nigel Brahms to Johan odin,none of that changes the 13:45  |  lakshmi 12/03/08
      50.   MARY.NOT perfect but Israeli Arabs have more freedoms in Israel 13:55  |  PETER SM 12/03/08
      51.   Good onya Kev #45 13:57  |  Joe Blow 12/03/08
      52.   #41 Nigel - Bringing in Cheap Menial Labor is Israel`s Motivation 14:07  |  Johan Odin 12/03/08
      53.   Hey Mary 14:11  |  from IDF soldier 12/03/08
      54.   # 40 Swiss. sometimes in a Democracy 14:13  |  Lynn 12/03/08
      55.   To: Fran of Sydney 14:14  |  leven5 12/03/08
      56.   What Haaretz didn`t tell you 14:28  |  Bon Levi 12/03/08
      57.   B.LEVI REALLY? I can`t find that anywhere.. 14:43  |  PETER SM 12/03/08
      58.   Socceroos and Israel were competitors on the soccer field 14:43  |  Geoff - Sydney 12/03/08
      59.   Fran in Australia - you are right 14:46  |  Chanah 12/03/08
      60.   Bon Levi 56 14:49  |  ChanahS 12/03/08
      61.   Stop dreaming of fantasyland 14:57  |  Brod 12/03/08
      62.   JBLOW Are you serious?Age gives the same reports as Australian 14:57  |  PETER SM 12/03/08
      63.   DINO AND PARLIAMENTS 15:23  |  Brant 12/03/08
      64.   Marlene N in New York 15:29  |  George 12/03/08
      65.   Paul from Adelaide 15:30  |  utagawa 12/03/08
      66.   MARLENE: AN ASSIGNMENT 15:33  |  Brant 12/03/08
      67.   For Bon Levi # 56 15:36  |  Clickfool 12/03/08
      68.   Paul from Adelaide 15:37  |  utagawa 12/03/08
      69.   to Marlene 15:37  |  TAZ 12/03/08
      70.   In AU, Occupation = Freedom. Australia sounds F`d 16:30  |  POP 12/03/08
      71.   # 63 Brant, a few "innocent" questions from a Swiss perspective 16:44  |  Swiss (Dino) 12/03/08
      72.   Grow Up, Johan 16:51  |  Tex 12/03/08
      73.   @33, johan odin. difference between you and amer. citizen that 16:51  |  vladimir 12/03/08
      74.   BRAVO!!! THOSE AUSTRALIANS WHO CONDEMNED THE MOTION 16:53  |  JACKAL 12/03/08
      75.   # 63 Brant, now let me try to explain....... 16:57  |  Swiss (Dino) 12/03/08
      76.   # 49 lakshmi...the only people who can change 17:00  |  Lynn 12/03/08
      77.   #51 - Joe Blow 17:04  |  JES 12/03/08
      78.   Not true. Israel doesn`t provide shelter to gay Palestinians 17:05  |  Yaakov Sullivan 12/03/08
      79.   Paul et al 17:08  |  Michael 12/03/08
      80.   # 63 Brant, now let me try to explain (2)...... 17:08  |  Swiss (Dino) 12/03/08
      81.   #70 Not only that.Catholics in Israel are discriminated 17:10  |  Yaakov Sullivan 12/03/08
      82.   Where would be without... 17:12  |  Danite 12/03/08
      83.   Channah Sha! Sha! 17:13  |  Danite 12/03/08
      84.   Supporting Israel 17:21  |  Donna Slade 12/03/08
      85.   rudd 17:21  |  BERNARD 12/03/08
      86.   Orren they should make you lead the UN 17:47  |  Robert/Montreal 12/03/08
      87.   Gee Jonboy not so proud today, where`s jponboy? 17:57  |  Robert/Montreal 12/03/08
      88.   Israel can stuff its freedom for Jews only ... 18:06  |  Dutch 12/03/08
      89.   Johan Odin Oslo 18:07  |  Sarah 12/03/08
      90.   #35 Paul you are a ok and #31 Rab , Magnificent 18:07  |  Robert/Montreal 12/03/08
      91.   Giday Michael Ca VA? 18:10  |  Robert / Montreal 12/03/08
      92.   re 5 18:17  |  english jew 12/03/08
      93.   Joe Blow #51 Mental Midget 18:17  |  Robert/Montreal zion 12/03/08
      94.   well done, aussies. 19:21  |  frenz 12/03/08
      95.   Clickfool a question for you!!! 20:04  |  Sam 12/03/08
      96.   J#16Johan Odin the worst kind of statement.. 20:24  |  Robert/Montreal 12/03/08
      97.   SWiss shows his colours 20:27  |  Danite 12/03/08
      98.   re 40 click lol 20:34  |  alan the real one 12/03/08
      99.   # 97 If our "apologist" Danite would be able to read..... 20:58  |  Swiss (Dino) 12/03/08
      100.   #79 Michael in Jerusalem 21:08  |  Paul 12/03/08
      101.   #10 observer 21:11  |  staydead23 12/03/08
      102.   johan odin 21:21  |  staydead23 12/03/08
      103.   Israel not perfect, but better than any Muslim Country 21:23  |  Curtis Jackson 12/03/08
      104.   No, Dutch! Your statement in #88 is wrong. Druze, Cherkeses,..... 21:25  |  Vittorio 12/03/08
      105.   J.BLOW .BLEVI. Gone very quiet when challenged.why? 21:26  |  PETER SM 12/03/08
      106.   how many aborigineese in goverment. 21:30  |  billy jack 12/03/08
      107.   re us citezen #23 21:37  |  billy jack 12/03/08
      108.   Always pay attention to who is talking 21:40  |  TonyL 12/03/08
      109.   DINO: MY REPLY 21:42  |  Brant 12/03/08
      110.   Swiss 21:45  |  Danite 12/03/08
      111.   Paul In Adelaide#100 22:14  |  Robert/Montreal 12/03/08
      112.   #24 Michael G`day Mate! It So Nice To Hear Especially. 22:22  |  I 12/03/08
      113.   re curtis jackson 22:24  |  billy jack 12/03/08
      114.   # 29 joe blow--You Blow Your Horn in The Wrong Direction.. 22:36  |  I 12/03/08
      115.   # 103 Curtis Jackson. Beg to Differ,and The Reason is: 22:44  |  I 12/03/08
      116.   # 110 Danite, very telling that once again you were shying..... 22:46  |  Swiss (Dino) 12/03/08
      117.   #87 Robert/Montreal ----About JB.He Not A real Assie for sure.Or 22:51  |  I 12/03/08
      118.   # 110 Danite, the good thing is, deep in your heart..... 22:59  |  Swiss (Dino) 12/03/08
      119.   # 109 Brant 23:08  |  Swiss (Dino) 12/03/08
      120.   From an Aussie 23:13  |  lola 12/03/08
      121.   Swiss Dino (various posts) 23:13  |  Polybios 12/03/08
      122.   Not Representing Me this Time 23:19  |  Tracey 12/03/08
      123.   Answering Sam # 95 23:29  |  Clickfool 12/03/08
      124.   You need to reread history and my post Paul 23:30  |  Michael 12/03/08
      125.   Ca va très bien Robert 23:34  |  Michael 12/03/08
      126.   A reason to visit Australia 23:34  |  Matze 12/03/08
      127.   I 23:35  |  Michael 12/03/08
      128.   As an Australian 23:38  |  Nick Kitchin 12/03/08
      129.   As an Australian 23:38  |  Nick Kitchin 12/03/08
      130.   As an Australian 23:38  |  Nick Kitchin 12/03/08
      131.   As an Australian 23:38  |  Nick Kitchin 12/03/08
      132.   Aussies have more sense then... 23:50  |  leo 12/03/08
      133.   ChanahS 23:55  |  Abbas 12/03/08
      134.   Racist Fran 23:59  |  Jez 12/03/08
      135.   Many MP`s were absent from the Chamber. 00:00  |  Maureen Ann 13/03/08
      136.   Australia 00:10  |  Poppy 13/03/08
      137.   BLOW,KIWI,LEVI&censhorship.SBS refused to publish video of Mufti 00:16  |  PETER SM 13/03/08
      138.   # 120 Polybios 00:34  |  Swiss (Dino) 13/03/08
      139.   Re: Odin from Norway 00:34  |  Dee 13/03/08
      140.   TO HAARETZ 00:44  |  THE TEACHER/INSTRUCT 13/03/08
      141.   # 109 Brant (2nd try) 00:46  |  Swiss (Dino) 13/03/08
      142.   # 100 Paul in Adalaide.Your is A Utopian Vision........ 00:49  |  I 13/03/08
      143.   Gotta love those Aussies! 01:02  |  Gina 13/03/08
      144.   Fran doesn`t even bother to say "Zionists" 01:52  |  David 13/03/08
      145.   SWISS DINO: ANOTHER REPLY 01:58  |  Brant 13/03/08
      146.   Nobel Peace Prize winner Jimmy Carter and likes will disagree 02:12  |  Tupac 13/03/08
      147.   Aborigène & Pals & Native Americans & Aferican Americans 02:15  |  Tupac 13/03/08
      148.   Yet on their other side of their mouths they support dictators 02:18  |  Tupac 13/03/08
      149.   3 Swiss Dino not whole Parliament 02:22  |  Truth 13/03/08
      150.   Peter Sm and drivel 02:31  |  Truth 13/03/08
      151.   Letter congratulating Israel from Australia Workers Union.13/3/08 02:37  |  PETER SM 13/03/08
      152.   i love australia 02:40  |  PalestniansAreA Myth 13/03/08
      153.   Australia is NO Racist State! 03:03  |  Yered Shmuel 13/03/08
      154.   Kiwi girl Don`t worry Marlene 03:17  |  Nechama 13/03/08
      155.   Amusing - The Usual Jew Hating Scum Are Upset 03:20  |  Tod Zuckerman 13/03/08
      156.   leo #132 03:57  |  TonyL 13/03/08
      157.   Clickfool 04:01  |  Da Nang 13/03/08
      158.   And you Aussi Kevin Rudd, your are a DEMOCRAZY 04:04  |  Moise 13/03/08
      159.   #123 Answering Heydrich The Fool 04:05  |  Panther Jet 13/03/08
      160.   MAUREEN"While there were more MPs than usual in the House of Reps 04:05  |  PETER SM 13/03/08
      161.   #133 Abbas Schmabbas 04:12  |  Pather Jet 13/03/08
      162.   #128 Nick Kitchin, you have my sympathy 04:13  |  Dutch 13/03/08
      163.   #128 As a card carrying member of the human race 04:16  |  Pather Jet 13/03/08
      164.   AUSTRALIAN Workers Union letter congratulating & supporting Israe 04:16  |  PETER SM 13/03/08
      165.   #96 - Robert/Montreal - 04:18  |  Johan Odin 13/03/08
      166.   You can`t be a kiwi #27 04:23  |  A kiwi boy 13/03/08
      167.   Kevin Rudd is another morally screwed up PM 04:29  |  Dutch 13/03/08
      168.   #90Robert/Montreal 04:36  |  Rab Burns 13/03/08
      169.   #124 Michael, Paul He dont know nuttin about His Storee 04:37  |  Pather Jet 13/03/08
      170.   CRY POOR Pal. supporters managed to find $20000 for their Advert. 04:38  |  PETER SM 13/03/08
      171.   Clickfool (#123): Nicely done, sir! 04:49  |  Morris Valentine 13/03/08
      172.   Australia is Great 05:40  |  Craig 13/03/08
      173.   Not on my behalf 06:51  |  Bill 13/03/08
      174.   Peter SM - Maureen Anne is "expert" 07:14  |  Zelkha 13/03/08
      175.   Paul Howes is a childish fool 07:44  |  Marilyn 13/03/08
      176.   re: jonathon in sydney 08:05  |  jonathon 13/03/08
      177.   George #64, regarding Arab Israelis 08:14  |  ELIAS KHOURY 13/03/08
      178.   Morris and clickdumb 08:18  |  Mike McKenna 13/03/08
      179.   #128 nick should stay in the kitchen as he knows f all about hist 08:26  |  v hardman 13/03/08
      180.   zero indiginous austrialians in parliment 09:18  |  billy jack 13/03/08
      181.   #4 The judge is asleep at the bench 09:56  |  Johnboy 13/03/08
      182.   #87 Which one, Robert? Jonboy or jponboy? 10:19  |  Johnboy 13/03/08
      183.   # 145 Brant 10:20  |  Swiss (Dino) 13/03/08
      184.   I fully agree with Australian parliament Israel is custodian of f 10:21  |  James McNamara 13/03/08
      185.   Israel 10:35  |  Corazon Jones 13/03/08
      186.   #102-staydead23 You Took Responsibility and Respect you for That 11:17  |  Johan Odin 13/03/08
      187.   Sorry Swiss(40), adulations as well for the educational work 11:50  |  Karl 13/03/08
      188.   DINO: FOR THE 99999999th TIME 11:58  |  Brant 13/03/08
      189.   Post 16.....so the trolls have come out of their holes to the 12:10  |  Karl 13/03/08
      190.   ODIOUS ODIN 12:24  |  Brant 13/03/08
      191.   Mr.Odin G`day 13:02  |  James McNamara 13/03/08
      192.   I like this Kevin Rudd 13:16  |  Geoff Carmone 13/03/08
      193.   # 187 Karl 17:45  |  Swiss (Dino) 13/03/08
      194.   # 188 Brant 17:59  |  Swiss (Dino) 13/03/08
      195.   God bless Australia 18:30  |  George Duraisingh 13/03/08
      196.   God bless Australia 18:33  |  George Duraisingh 13/03/08
      197.   THANK YOU, SWISS (DINO) 22:11  |  Brant 13/03/08
      198.   # 197 Brant YOU ARE WELCOME 00:19  |  Swiss (Dino) 14/03/08
      199.   # 197 By the way, Brant........ 00:54  |  Swiss (Dino) 14/03/08
      200.   DINO: I CONCEDE.... 02:01  |  Brant 14/03/08
      201.   Under the circumstances,Israel is doing very well thank you 04:20  |  Mark Dunstan 14/03/08
      202.   Israel 11:17  |  Steve 15/03/08
      203.   Truth 03:55  |  gilie 22/03/08
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