International condemnation of the land grab has been swift and forceful:

• “The seizure of such a large swathe of land risks paving the way for further settlement activity, which – as the United Nations has reiterated on many occasions – is illegal under international law and runs totally counter to the pursuit of a two-state solution.” United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, 1 September 2014.
• “The appropriation of nearly 1,000 acres of land in the West Bank near Bethlehem is utterly deplorable. Settlements are illegal under international law and will do nothing to create the kind of peace process we all want, and we urge the Israeli government to reverse this decision.” UK Prime Minister David Cameron, 1 September 2014.
• “These steps are contrary to Israel’s stated goal of negotiating a permanent status agreement with the Palestinians, and it would send a very troubling message if they proceed.” US State Department Spokesperson Jan Psaki, 2 September 2014.
• “We call on the Israeli authorities to reverse this decision and to engage in good faith towards a lasting peace based on a two-state solution." Statement by European Union Spokesperson, 2 September 2014.
• “The Government of Japan strongly deplores that the Government of Israel has announced to expropriate nearly 4 square kilometers of land in the southern part of the West Bank. This announcement by Israeli Government clearly contradicts the ongoing efforts by the international community toward ceasefire agreement over Gaza as well as realizing a two-state solution.” Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs statement, 2 September 2014.
• “By declaring another 4,000 dunams as state land, the Israeli government stabs President Abbas and the moderate Palestinian forces in the back, proving again that violent [sic] delivers Israeli concessions while nonviolence results in settlement expansion.” Israeli NGO Peace Now statement, 31 August 2014.
•  “This was a grab that was not brought before the cabinet and at this time simply causes damage to the State of Israel” Israeli Finance Minister, 2 September 2014

In Australia, however, neither Prime Minister Tony Abbott nor Foreign Minister Julie Bishop have made any comment. Shadow Foreign Affairs Minister Tanya Plibersek has merely noted that Labor is “extremely concerned” and requested an “immediate explanation”, declining to either condemn the land grab or call for its reversal.  The Greens leader Christine Milne has called on the Government to condemn the move.

Given Foreign Minister Julie Bishop’s refusal to acknowledge the settlements’ illegality under international law, the response of both the government and opposition should be a cause for deep concern. Once again, Australia is placing itself outside of the international consensus in siding with the Israeli far right against the rest of the international community on the issue of settlements.