LONDON: Australia’s prime minister has strongly criticized Israel’s ongoing blockade of humanitarian aid into Gaza, calling the move “an outrage” and the Israeli government’s justifications “completely untenable.”
Speaking at a press conference on Monday, Anthony Albanese said: “Israel’s actions are completely unacceptable. It is outrageous that there be a blockade of food and supplies to people who are in need in Gaza. People are starving. The idea that a democratic state withholds supply is an outrage.”
His comments follow Australia’s decision to join 22 other countries — including the UK, Canada and New Zealand — in condemning Israel over the restricted flow of aid into the war-torn Palestinian territory.
The UN has warned that the entire population of Gaza is facing famine, describing the 80-day blockade as potentially “the cruelest phase of this cruel conflict.”
Albanese said he conveyed Australia’s “deep concern” directly to Israeli President Isaac Herzog during a meeting in Rome last week.
“I made it very clear that Australia finds these actions as completely unacceptable and we find Israel’s excuses and explanations completely untenable and without credibility,” The Guardian newspaper quoted him as saying.
“That is (a position) I have indicated clearly and directly to the Israeli government. It’s one that we will continue to be part of international statements as we were last week.”
While reaffirming that Hamas should have no future role in governing Gaza or the West Bank and calling for the release of remaining Israeli hostages taken during the Oct. 7 attacks, Albanese urged Israel to respect humanitarian obligations.
“States which are democratic states have a responsibility to behave in a way that is consistent with international law and with humanitarian concerns,” he said.
“The whole world is concerned about what has occurred with the blockade and Australia will continue to make clear statements on that.”
Meanwhile, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong condemned the “abhorrent and outrageous” recent comments from members of the government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, saying Israel “cannot allow the suffering” in Gaza to continue.
The statements from Albanese and Wong come amid growing domestic pressure.
Labor Party lawmaker Ed Husic wrote in The Guardian last week that Australia “can and should be doing more” and called on the government to summon the Israeli ambassador and demand the immediate, freer flow of aid.
“Australia has a proud tradition of refusing to be silent on the world stage when it comes to defending vulnerable and oppressed people,” he said.
“We can be emboldened by our legacy of doing so. Two million starving people in Gaza need all the help we can muster alongside others.”
On Monday, Greens Sen. David Shoebridge renewed calls for the government to go further by terminating defense contracts with Israeli arms manufacturers and their subsidiaries.
Despite Netanyahu promising last week to ease the 11-week siege to prevent a “starvation crisis,” aid agencies have said the situation in Gaza is becoming critical.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Friday that what Israel had authorized “amounts to a teaspoon of aid when a flood of assistance is required.”
The Israeli military said 107 aid trucks entered Gaza on Thursday, but the UN and aid groups argue the quantity is grossly inadequate. Israel accuses Hamas of diverting supplies, a claim disputed by the UN and humanitarian organizations.
