Downunder has made a mistak

 In recognising Palestine as a country. It goes against international law and the rules about what constitutes a country.

I do not know much about international law but I do know that there need to be several things present. One of these things is a recognised border. There is none. This is not simply about the disputed areas but the fact that there are two distinct areas.

It brings us to the second point and that is the government of these areas. They are not under the control of one entity and they have not been elected by one group of people. The Palestinian Authority and Hamas are separate from each other.

A country also needs to be able to defend itself and they have no armed forces. Hamas is armed but it is armed by external forces which have an entirely different agenda.

Those things are just a start. 

It all suggests that the recognition has more to do with our internal politics than what might be best for the people of Palestine once it does become a country. Our Prime Minister is working for his own benefit again.it is not surprising but it is yet another reason for concern.