Australia's move followed similar actions in Europe including Spain, France, Britain, Sweden and Denmark in the wake of the Palestinians winning de facto UN recognition of statehood.
"Australia has long opposed all settlement activity," Foreign Minister Bob Carr said in a statement after Israeli Ambassador Yuval Rotem's meeting with senior Australian officials. "Such activity threatens the viability of a two-state solution without which there will never be security in Israel."
Carr, whose country takes up a rotating UN Security Council seat next year, said Israel's actions had complicated the chances of fresh negotiations between the two sides.
"I am extremely disappointed with these reported Israeli decisions," he said.
The UN victory for the Palestinians was a diplomatic setback for the United States and Israel, which were joined by only a handful of countries in voting against the move to upgrade the Palestinian Authority's observer status at the United Nations to "non-member state" from "entity," like the Vatican.
There were 138 votes in favour, nine against and 41 abstentions, including Australia.
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Who does Australia think they are fooling? Australia has consistently supported Israel, and the best they ever do is abstain from voting in the UN because it may upset their large Muslim population. Additionally, Ms. Guillard, the Australian Prime Minister is a strong supporter of the Israeli lobby group and was attempting to vote against Palestine's inclusion into the UN, but backed off due to a revolt in her own party, which enjoys strong Muslim support. I am not strongly taking sides, although I consider that Palestine has been treated in an appalling manner, but when an article states that Australia has called in the Israeli Ambassador to protest over settlement issues they cannot be praised for consistency and one has to wonder which direction Australia is taking. I suppose the best we can say is that Australia has to improve; hopefully.
@Sonya: what "democratic muslim" world? -:). Is this world in some other planet?
Wish any of the Arab countries would have guts to do the same. Arabs r ruled by royals who are mentally slaves
Didn't the democratic Muslim world has been saying this to you for the past 60~70 years that the idea of a state of Israel lacks legitimacy?.