The divisions in Australian politics over the Israel-Gaza war were on full display on Monday as senior leaders marked the first anniversary of the October 7 attacks.
The Labor Government has reaffirmed its unequivocal condemnation of the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel, which killed around 1,200 people and took 251 hostages.
But Labor also acknowledged the “catastrophic” loss of civilian life in the past year of war. A coalition of opposition parties strongly supported Israel and criticized the Labor government for calling for a ceasefire.
“A terribly painful day”: Anthony Albanese’s statement on the October 7 attack – video
Opposition leader Peter Dutton said: “The coalition will support our ally Israel, not treat it like an adversary.”
The Green Party said the October 7 attack “deserves the community’s fullest condemnation”, but went on to criticize the way the Australian government responded by “refusing to impose sanctions on the extremist Netanyahu government”.
“The very same commitment to compassion, integrity, peace and justice that is required of us in response to Hamas attacks is what we as Greens need to do in response to the war crimes currently committed by the State of Israel in the Gaza Strip. It calls for a loud cry of genocide: the bombing and invasion of the remaining occupied territories and Lebanon,” the party said in a statement.
Independent senator Fatima Payman, who left Labor in July after crossing the floor to support immediate recognition of Palestinian statehood, said there was nothing that could justify the killing of civilians. .
“As an Australian, as a Muslim, and as a humanitarian, any human bloodshed goes against the core principles of my identity,” she wrote on social media.
“My thoughts and prayers go out to all those who have lost loved ones and are grieving the massacre.”
Labor MP Josh Burns said there had been “so much loss over the past year”.
“In Jewish tradition, one life is considered a whole world. We hold space for everyone who has lost a loved one, whether in Israel, Gaza, Lebanon or across the region. We can and we must secure it.”
Israel has rejected the “false and outrageous” claims of genocide that are the subject of a lawsuit launched by South Africa at the International Court of Justice.
At least 41,870 Palestinians have been killed in the Gaza Strip, 97,166 injured and thousands more trapped in the rubble since Israel launched its military response to the October 7 attack. The case may have been lost, Gaza health authorities announced on Sunday.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who is scheduled to attend a vigil in Melbourne for the victims of the October 7 attacks on Monday night, will “pause to reflect on the horrific terrorist atrocities that have reverberated around the world.” He said it was important.
In a video message, Albanians accused Hamas of “a brutality inflicted with cold calculations” and said hostages are experiencing “the agony of waiting and not knowing or having terrible truths confirmed”. expressed sympathy to the family of
He also reaffirmed “a fundamental principle of our shared humanity: that every innocent life matters.”
“The need for peace has never been greater,” said Foreign Minister Penny Wong, who is scheduled to attend a commemoration ceremony at the Israeli embassy on Monday night.
But Nationals senator Bridget McKenzie told a pro-Israel rally outside Parliament House in Canberra on Monday that Australia “should not call a cease-fire” every time Israel attempts to use its right to self-defence. Ta.
Former Prime Minister Tony Abbott said at the same rally organized by the Christian group Never Again Is Now that October 7th was “the worst catastrophe to befall the Jewish people since the Holocaust” and that “infamy will befall us.” day,” he said.
“That’s why it’s absolutely right that these murderers and the organizations that murdered them should be completely destroyed,” Abbott said.
“Indeed, we deplore the civilian casualties, praise Israel for its incredibly careful avoidance of casualties so far, and commend the Israeli military and government for the very smart and successful way they fought back. I am doing it.”
The International Criminal Court’s Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan KC previously said there were “reasonable grounds to believe” that senior leaders of Israel and Hamas were responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Khan’s allegations against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant include “starvation of civilians as a means of war” and “deliberate attacks against civilians.”
The Israeli government flatly rejected the charges, arguing that the application for an arrest warrant amounted to an attempt to deny the country’s right to self-defense.
A pro-Palestinian protest will be held in front of Parliament House in Canberra on Tuesday morning as Parliament resumes.
