Recently the Labor Caucus voted to abstain from voting against a resolution to allow Palistine some rights on the UN. Untill now Aus has always supported the US and Israel.

What does this change tell us about Labor parliamentarians?

What does this change tell us about the growing influence of Islam in Aus politics?

Is this change in our interests?

Should it cause us to reconsider our non-discrimatory immigration policies?

Interesting questions, Banjo.

>>What does this change tell us about Labor parliamentarians?<<

Nothing that we didn't know before, unfortunately.

On the one hand there is a streak of international idealism/naivety that showed through when Andrew Leigh proposed that Australia should actually vote "yes" to the enhanced recognition of a terrorist-inspired state.

And on the other, we saw the knee-jerk, follow-my-leader reaction of Ms Gillard in proposing that we show unquestioned support for the US.

It would be nice to think that the compromise position of abstention was a product of consummate statesmanship and positive thinking, aimed at making a strong statement to the UN and our partners. An indication, perhaps, supported by public pronouncements in Parliament, that we consider the request to be premature, but would still remain open to a constructive approach to peace in the Middle East that involved some concessions on both sides.

Fat chance.

Regrettably, it looked more like a severe and debilitating attack of nervous indecisiveness in the face of a key global issue, that bodes ill for our buggins-turn at the UN high table. Incidentally, Bob Carr's attempts to paper it over with excuses were consummately embarrassing, despite the velvety baritone in which they were delivered.

>>What does this change tell us about the growing influence of Islam in Aus politics?<<

Absolutely nothing. It is a statehood issue, not a religious one.

>>Is this change in our interests?<<

What change?.

A change would when we stop dithering about, gazing mindlessly at our navel, and instead formulate a coherent, independent and principled foreign policy.

Once again. Fat chance.

I am proud of the out come, and amused by Banjos inference.
Gillard wanting to climb up a vital part of the USA s body.
Cabinet saying no.
We must confront not every thing Israel does is Right.
Worth noting England is considering the same action.
No Islamic ploy here, nothing top see lets move along.
Please consider, England is ruled by? conservatives.

Hey Banjo et all,
Two things - have you thought the Israelis may be the bad guys and, I thought Hamas was the democratically elected Government of Palestine.

Banjo,

Are you referring to Palestinian recognition as a member state by UNESCO?

Hell Banjo, The fear that Islamists will control our political system is credible. It simply comes down to birth rate and time. Islamic Arabs are already the major voting bloc in several electorates and that is what drove Labors decision to abstain from voting along Israel/American lines.

My personal view is that Israel should go back to their pre 1966 boarders and stop treating the Palestinians like Germany treated the Jews of Europe pre 1945. Semitic peoples be they Arab or Israeli are closed cultures. The vast vast majority only marry another Semite. Both cultures are basically tribal and tribal cultures create zealots.

It is a law of nature that all events exist because the sum of the parts of the subject has hit critical mass. When Islam hits critical mass in Australia we are all done, a page in the history books, but such is evolution.

My only footnote is that Islam will eventually be overrun by the Sub Continent and China. Australia in 100 years will be Asian. The Arabs and Europeans will be as disenfranchised as the Aboriginals are today.