Pearls and Irritations

Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong has finally acknowledged that Israel is in gross breach of international law, and must not ignore the United Nations, as it continues its ruthless military attacks on the people of Gaza, the West Bank and Lebanon.

In a statement this week rejecting the decision of the Israeli Parliament to ban the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, Minister Wong hit out at Israel’s decision to restrict the UN agency’s lifesaving work. This follows calls from Australia, Japan, South Korea, Canada, France, Germany and the UK not to impose the ban.

Minister Wong has called on Israel to comply with the binding orders of the International Court of Justice to enable the provision of basic services and humanitarian assistance at scale in Gaza.

This statement is welcome, but the Australian Government must now immediately:

-Recall their ambassador.

-Impose sanctions on Israel.

-Cease any provision of military equipment or component parts to the Israel Defence Force.

Australians have been demanding government action for months to stop an out-of-control military and a regime whose leaders have ignored international law and all recognition of our common humanity. Yes, we do remember and condemn the Hamas attacks on Israeli families and have urged independent negotiation for the release of hostages. However, we could not have predicted the extent of brutal military retaliation that has followed, killing tens of thousands of innocent civilians, including overwhelming numbers of women and children, U.N. staff, doctors, nurses and journalists. We did not expect the Prime Minister of Israel – “our trusted friend” – could be so ruthless in his determination to destroy the State of Palestine. We cannot understand how the United States “leadership” can spend months advocating for a ceasefire, while continuing to fund and supply Israel’s war machine. A freeze on US military funding is the only way to stop the Netanyahu regime and should have been the obvious response months ago.

In asserting “Israel has a right to defend itself”, the majority of Australian parliamentarians gave approval to a dangerous state that has committed war crimes and genocide. As the death and destruction continued the Australian Government seemed more concerned with attacking humanitarian Australians demanding action from their government. Community rallies, student protests and calls for a parliamentary condolence motion for the tragic loss of life in Gaza were ignored. Those articulating the truth were accused of anti semitism or political opportunism, when those very individuals have long worked to prevent human rights abuse whenever and wherever it occurs.

The Australian Government has used its “quiet diplomacy” to avoid any accountability for its complicity in a human tragedy. Furthermore, it has been absent in advocating for international law and the essential role of the United Nations in ensuring countries maintain agreed standards in times of conflict.

Now the Albanese Government has a clear choice… it can continue to hide from reality and avoid essential decisions, or it can assert Australian’s rejection of Israel’s policies and methods.

The international Court of Justice ruled on July 19 that Israel must end its historic oppression of Palestinians. Obviously, if its commitment to a “two state solution” is to have any credibility, it is long overdue for the Albanese government to recognise the State of Palestine in this term of parliament.

There is much work to be done in restoring peace for Palestinians and Israelis.

For months so many Australians have been warning the Albanese Government that its “quiet diplomacy” has failed to have any influence on the Netanyahu regime, so now the government must stand firm, and demand Israel accept a ceasefire, exchange of hostages and a negotiated plan for rehabilitation, reparations, and rebuilding.

Finally, our government must take action.

Thank you, Penny Wong. You have made an important start, but we need to see you strongly supported by your colleagues to prevent further suffering and destruction. Prime Minister Albanese must restore Australia’s reputation as a country that believes in international law as the only way to protect the global community.

All Australians are encouraged to continue expressing their views to end this devastating war.

It is extremely depressing when parliamentarians’ phones and correspondence are not answered, and their bland public statements ignore reality. However, we can be assured that public opinion does matter and is heard regardless of the barriers that exist.

Australians do care about our common humanity and will always find ways to defend it.

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