ALP elder condemns the party's Middle East stance

Former Queensland premier Peter Beattie ­criticised the federal government's stance on Middle East policies. Writing in The Australian Mr Beattie said: A two-state solution in the Middle East is a daydream unless all parties accept Israel's right to exit as the first step. A peace plan will fail unless it is led by Arab Nations and Israel and with all parties ­accepting Israel's right to exist. This sentiment is echoed by Shadow Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Birmingham. Mr Beattie believes extremists from both sides of politics have hijacked the public debate on the Middle East.