Australia continues to back humanitarian calls
Australia has backed a UN resolution demanding all sides in the Hamas-Israel war protect civilians, particularly children.
Penny Wong
The United Nations Security Council resolution demanded all those involved in the conflict comply with international law, particularly for the protection of civilian life and children.
The resolution called for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages.
It states civilians in Gaza should not be deprived of basic services and humanitarian assistance needed for their survival.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong noted the resolution was the first resolution on the Middle East to be adopted by the council since 2016, which demonstrated the “unity” on the conflict.
“Australia has and will continue to support these calls,” she posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Hamas, considered a terrorist organisation in Australia, launched an attack on Israel on October 7, killing about 1200 people and taking more than 220 hostages.
In response, Israel has bombarded Gaza, which has killed more than 12,000 people.
The conflict has sparked protests and vigils around the world, and has fuelled Islamophobia and anti-Semitism.
Victorian MP Josh Burns and NSW MP Julian Leeser said Australian Jews and Muslims should not be used as “political footballs”.
The comments come after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese accused Opposition Leader Peter Dutton of weaponising anti-Semitism to criticise the government’s response to escalating violence in the Gaza Strip.
Mr Burns said inflammatory remarks should not be made, which would “put kerosene on already hot flames”.
“It doesn’t matter whether you’re a Jewish person or Islamic person, you should feel safe in Australia,” Mr Burns told ABC radio on Thursday.
“I want them to feel like they are proud Australians and that they can go to the mosque and be a part of their community and practise their faith and be with their family and live peaceful lives in this country.”
Mr Leeser agreed and noted that anti-Semitism had always been an issue in Australia, with many Jewish institutions forced to hire additional security at normal times.
“The level of anti-Semitism is off the charts in this country,” he told ABC radio.
“We shouldn’t try to downplay the way the Jewish community is feeling at this time.”
The prime minister told reporters on the sidelines of the APEC Summit in San Francisco he expected the Middle East to be a topic of discussion among world leaders.
“I will be having discussions with our friends in the United States … about a way forward,” he said.
“We have said very clearly that Israel has a right to defend itself, but how it defends itself matters as well.
“And we do need to, I think, begin to have discussions about what happens in the future in that region.”
He said Hamas was “not a potential partner for peace” and the international community had a role to play.
AAP
I wonder what the thoughts are of the minster now the underground weaponry has been located?
To be spoon fed a sign of lack of intellect in my opinion or not praying enough for discernment.
Josh Burns, I know your heart is in the right place and you are a stalwart supporter of Israel and the Jewish people, but please stop giving the ‘balanced’ rhetoric all the time in relation to Jews and Muslims. It downplays very real Jewish issues that we have right now. You have really gone overboard in what is quoted in this article in regard to your wishes and hopes for the Muslims of Australia. There is nothing wrong with the sentiments per se, it’s just that antisemitism has gone through the roof – there are far more antisemitic incidents than Islamophobic incidents – also we are a smaller minority in number. There are plenty who can, and do, speak out for Australian Muslims, perhaps you could allow yourself to focus more fully on Israel and Australian Jews? If not now, when?