Australia raises concerns about ‘human rights abuses’ after failing to back US-led statement on Israel

Gareth Evans, who served as Australia’s foreign minister from 1988 to 1996, has welcomed the Albanese government’s decision not to sign a US statement on Israel. Photograph: Mick Tsikas/AAP

Australia has not signed up to a US-led statement about Israel and the Palestinian territories, instead raising deep concerns about “human rights abuses and the lack of progress towards a just and enduring two-state solution”.

The move comes after former foreign minister Gareth Evans said the new Australian government’s decision not to join 22 countries in signing on to the statement may signal a “decent, principled” approach to the Middle East.