December 13, 2024
Australia has joined more than 150 countries at the United Nations to vote in favour of a ceasefire in Gaza and to support the mandate of humanitarian relief agency UNRWA.
The vote to back an immediate, permanent ceasefire in Gaza and call for a reversal of Israel's decision to ban the main UN aid agency operating in the wartorn Gaza Strip was opposed by the US but backed by Canberra's other Five Eyes allies, the UK, Canada and New Zealand.
The Emergency Special Session of the New York-based assembly also urged the release of Israeli hostages who were seized by Hamas on October 7, 2023, the upholding of international humanitarian law to protect civilians and a push towards peace and a two-state solution.
The two votes did not change the Australian Government's long-held positions on calling for a ceasefire, backing the humanitarian work of UNRWA, and advocating for a two-state solution.
Asked about the reason for the Government's support of the resolutions, Anne Aly, Minister for Youth, said: "We need to find a resolution and a pathway to peace in the Middle East, and particularly in Israel and Gaza, for the safety of Palestinians and for the safety and the security and the future of Israelis as well."
But shadow minister for home affairs James Paterson accused the Prime Minister of "gas lighting" the Jewish community and said Australia should have stood with the US and Israel.
"When the Australian Government abandons or even worse, vilifies Israel, anti-Semites take encouragement from that and that gives them licence and that's why it's a serious problem."