In some of his strongest criticism to date, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says Israel’s “excuses and explanations” for blocking aid to Gaza are untenable, and that it is an outrage that a democratic state would withhold aid.
The United Kingdom, France, Canada and other Western allies have threatened to impose sanctions on Israel over Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s decision to allow “minimal” humanitarian aid into the Palestinian territory.
Australia has not signed up to that joint threat, but did join international criticism of Israel’s proposed aid model and has called for a full and immediate resumption of humanitarian supplies into Gaza.
The United Nations has warned Gaza is on the brink of famine.
“Israel’s actions are completely unacceptable. It is outrageous that there be a blockade of food and supplies to people who are in need in Gaza,” Mr Albanese said.
“People are starving. The idea that a democratic state withholds supply is an outrage.”
The prime minister added that he communicated that criticism to Israel’s president Isaac Herzog at a meeting in Rome just days ago, where he told the Israeli president “Israel’s excuses and explanations [were] completely untenable and without credibility”.
Over the weekend, dumped cabinet minister Ed Husic said the government should be doing more to pressure Israel.
“It was an important stand by [the UK, France and Canada]. Australia could have proudly joined them. We didn’t,” he wrote in an opinion piece for The Guardian.
“Now is the time to act. The UN has warned 14,000 babies suffering from severe acute malnutrition are at risk of dying, on top of the tens of thousands of women and children already murdered during this conflict.”
Ed Husic says Australia should be doing more to pressure Israel. (ABC News: Keane Bourke)
Mr Husic, who was the first Muslim MP to enter cabinet, says he was booted from cabinet in part because he has been outspoken on Gaza.
Israeli Foreign Minister Oren Marmorstein told the UK “external pressure [would] not divert Israel from its path in defending its existence and security”.
Mr Albanese also repeated that Hamas could have no role in the future of Gaza or the West Bank, and hostages from the October 7 attack should be released.
