Under the previous Labor government, Australia supported votes condemning the settlements. But under the Coalition it is likely to abstain.
Australia courted countries in the Middle East in order to gain a seat on the UN Security Council.
But diplomats warn the fragile relationship is on rocky ground after Australia signalled it will abstain from voting on motions that condemn the expansion of Israeli settlements.
“It will have also an impact on Australia and its neighbours like Indonesia, Brunei and Malaysia, because the Palestinian issue is a matter of foreign policy in these countries,” Izzat Abdulhadi, General Delegation of Palestine to Australia, told SBS.
Since 2008, Australia has been voting for the annual United Nations resolutions.
Now it appears Australia is returning to the Howard-era policies of not supporting votes critical of Israeli settlements.
Shadow Foreign Minister Tanya Plibersek says she will be seeking an explanation from the government on its changed stance.
“I'll be speaking to the foreign minister over the coming weeks, and I'll be asking her again why the government has changed its position.”
In a statement to SBS, the Deparment of Foreign Affairs and Trade says Australia considers each Middle East-related resolution on a case-by-case basis, and on their merits.
The Ambassador says in the past his delegation was consulted before each vote. They weren't consulted this time.
“They did not provide us with any drafting or comments on this resolution,” Mr Adbulhadi said.
Former Foreign Minister Bob Carr has criticised the policy shift.
“I think the Coalition is ashamed of this,” Mr Carr said. “They know it's the wrong decision, that's why they made it in secret, without a press release telling us that they were going to change Australia’s voting pattern.”
The Executive Council of the Australian Jewry declined SBS's invitation to appear on camera, but it did issue a written statement, saying the Australian Jewish community welcomes the move.
The government is being urged to reconsider its position in time for the final vote on the UN resolutions early next month.
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