This week, the United Nations held a vote calling for a ceasefire and humanitarian truce in Gaza, with 120 countries voting in favour of the resolution. While 14 countries voted against—including the United States—45 nations, including Australia, abstained. In this episode, we unpack why Australia abstained from this critical vote and the wider geopolitical implications of this decision.
We examine the motivations behind the abstention, the historical ties between Australia and the United States, and the influence of alliances like AUKUS on Australia’s foreign policy. Despite a non-binding resolution, it was an opportunity to take a stand, but Australia chose neutrality. We also explore the broader implications of such a vote, from peacekeeping to the potential establishment of a UN protectorate in Gaza, and what it means when global powers sit on the sidelines.
We discuss Australia’s history of supporting the US, its role in the creation of the United Nations, and the question of what Australia gains from its close alliance with America, especially considering its inability to secure a political win in the case of Julian Assange.
Finally, we touch on the polarized political landscape within Australia, where even nuanced discussions about the Israel–Palestine conflict are met with sharp backlash, and we ask: Is there any space left for balanced debate on this issue?