Christine Milne (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

I am very distressed to think that the Senate would not recognise the rights of the Palestinian people to also live in peace and security within their own state. Australia has been elected to the UN Security Council. We have an obligation to be even-handed. If we want to be a respected middle power on the Security Council we have to be even-handed.

In terms of this motion as it currently reads, we agree with all of it. We do condemn the attack on the bus in Tel Aviv overnight. We condemn the rocket attacks from Gaza into Israel. But we also condemn the bombings and blockading of Gaza by Israel. Why is it that the government and the opposition cannot bring themselves to acknowledge the devastating harm done to the Palestinian people by Israel with the continued bombing and blockading? The Palestinian people have rights, not just aspirations, alongside the people of Israel. So, whilst we support each element of the amended motion that Senator Stephens has moved, it is the omission from the motion that raises concern.