Australia to abstain from UN vote on Palestinians
Australia will abstain from a UN General Assembly vote on Palestinians becoming a nonmember observer state in a decision that has divided its government and been condemned by the opposition party.
"The government's position balances our long-standing support for the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination and their own state with our concern that the only durable basis for resolution of this conflict is direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians," Prime Minister Julia Gillard said in a statement Tuesday announcing her stance. (AP)
