Penny Allman-Payne (Queensland, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

Cutting off medicine, food, water and fuel to the people of Gaza is not self-defence. Deliberately carpet bombing hospitals and schools and ambulances is not self-defence. In a joint statement five days ago, seven UN special rapporteurs observed:

We are sounding the alarm: There is an ongoing campaign by Israel resulting in crimes against humanity in Gaza. Considering statements made by Israeli political leaders and their allies, accompanied by military action in Gaza and escalation of arrests and killing in the West Bank, there is also a risk of genocide against the Palestinian People.

Today, Antonio Guterres confirmed that more UN aid workers have been killed at the fastest rate in history, with 89 being killed in four weeks. He said:

The need for a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza is getting more urgent with every passing hour. The parties to the conflict and the international community face an immediate and fundamental responsibility: Stop this inhuman collective suffering and dramatically expand humanitarian aid.

The Labor government must show some courage and condemn the State of Israel for the ongoing invasion of Gaza and call for an immediate ceasefire. Free Palestine.