After much inter-factional muscle-flexing, last month the ALP approved a resolution on Middle East policy at its National Conference in Melbourne. Some commentators argue that pro-Israel types should be pleased because this compromise declaration was the best achievable outcome in the circumstances.

While the original text of this resolution was extremely problematic, the version that ultimately passed was only marginally less troublesome; there’s no question the end-product document marks a historic change for the worse in Labor’s stance on the Middle East.