Jordon Steele-John (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Foreign Affairs. The Albanese government has placed autonomous sanctions on a number of individuals and entities connected to a number of nations, including North Korea, Iran, Libya, Myanmar, the former federal republic of Yugoslavia, Russia, Syria and Zimbabwe. Despite the clear evidence provided in UN reports that war crimes have been perpetrated by the State of Israel, no sanctions have been placed on those responsible. Why hasn't the Australian government placed sanctions on individuals responsible for the State of Israel's war crimes?

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you to Senator Steele-John for the question. As the senator knows—and he has advocated for sanctions on many people and many countries over these last couple of years, and I've given him the same answer every time—as is longstanding practice, we do not speculate on sanctions. What I would say, however, is that I have also made clear, unlike the opposition, our continued support for international law and our support for the international tribunals of the International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice. We think those are the appropriate tribunals for assuring the observance of relevant international law.

This is, and we have seen it today in our parliament, a conflict which has seen 40,000-plus Palestinians—men, women and children—die. It is a conflict that commenced on 7 October, with the greatest loss of Jewish life since the Holocaust. It is a conflict which has touched people deeply across this country. It has touched all of us deeply. It is distressing. What I would say to you, Senator, and to all senators is what I said in the statement at the outset: we have an obligation in this place to try and ensure that we work for peace in the Middle East and that we do not seek to bring the conflict here. That is an obligation upon everybody in this place. We will continue to do all that we can to work for peace in the Middle East, for both Palestinians and Israelis.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Steele-John, first supplementary?

Jordon Steele-John (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Minister, multiple countries, including the US, the UK, France and Canada, have imposed sanctions on illegal Israeli settlers in the West Bank. Why is the Australian government so out of step with our allies in our decision not to do the same?

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I make two points. First, in relation to sanctions, again we don't speculate on sanctions, but I've said publicly that any extremist settler will not be granted a visa to come to Australia. It does give me the opportunity, though, to remind you of the various ways in which we have been clear about our opposition to settlements. This government has made clear that settlements are contrary to international law. We have been very clear with Israel directly about our deep concern with settlements. I note reports in the international media today about Israel's decision in recent months to approve new settlement construction and to seize territory in the West Bank. We object to these decisions and we call for these decisions to be reversed. Not only are settlements illegal under international law; they are a significant obstacle to peace and a two-state solution. (Time expired)

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Steele-John, second supplementary?

Jordon Steele-John (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Previously, when asked about autonomous sanctions placed upon Israel and its government members, you have said that it is a matter for relevant international tribunals. But, in other conflicts, you haven't in fact waited for international rulings before imposing autonomous sanctions. How do you justify this clear double standard?

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

There is no double standard. I have been clear that I will not speculate on sanctions whenever you have asked me—and you have asked me a lot, not just in relation to this country but in relation to others. We don't speculate on sanctions. There's a separate issue about respect for the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court. I note that this is not something on which the opposition agree. I have said—and I appreciate that there are people who may not agree with this—you don't pick and choose on international law. You can't argue that the law of the sea in the South China Sea should be respected but at the same time oppose the application of international law through the tribunals, as difficult as it may be, as difficult and as confronting as it may be. That will remain the principled position that the Albanese Labor government takes.