Australia has supported a United Nations resolution for an “immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire” in Gaza, joining most of the world in the strongest language Australia has adopted on the conflict to date.
Australia also backed a resolution defending the work of the UN relief agency UNRWA and rebuking Israel for obstructing its provision of aid in Gaza.
It was joined by more than 150 countries, including Canada, New Zealand and the United Kingdom.
The United States and Israel were among a handful of countries to vote against the resolution.
While Australia has supported an “immediate” ceasefire at the UN for a year, this resolution goes further with the words “unconditional and permanent”.
Although it calls for the “immediate and unconditional release of all hostages,” it does not require Hamas to lay down its arms or condemn its actions.
Australia’s permanent UN representative, James Larsen, said it should have done so and that Australia “does not agree with everything” in the resolutions, despite its support.
The shift in stance follows a hint from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese earlier this week at a private Labor Party event that Australia would further upset Israel on Thursday.
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