Call for sanctions on Israel over Gaza food blockade
Dominic Giannini and Tess Ikonomou |
A former cabinet minister is urging Australia to sanction Israel for blocking food from people in Gaza, ramping up pressure on Labor ahead of an international conference aimed at advancing Palestinian statehood.
Labor backbencher Ed Husic, who was the first Muslim federal cabinet minister, is calling on his government to prepare targeted sanctions against Israeli officials overseeing the military campaign in Gaza against Hamas.
Israel blocked aid and medical supplies entering the strip for 11 weeks and has begun letting in small amounts that international aid organisations say are a drop in the ocean of what is needed.
More than two million people face starvation and the health system is at risk of collapse due to a shortage in medical supplies and Israeli strikes against facilities.
Asked whether the war in Gaza had the hallmarks of a genocide, Mr Husic said it was “hard to avoid making a conclusion in your own mind that it will probably end up being called that”.
Israel strongly denies accusations of genocide.
Mr Husic said Australia needed to put in place targeted sanctions against Israel’s Netanyahu government and Israel Defence Forces for breaches of humanitarian law if the full blockade was not ended.
He said the conflict should be a catalyst to fast-track recognition of a Palestinian state, something Labor has committed to doing under certain caveats, so a broader two-state peace solution could be reached.
Australia is preparing to send representatives to a high-level conference in June focused on a two-state solution.
The conference was mandated by the United Nations and is being co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia.
More than 1000 people were expected to attend an event at Parliament House on Tuesday evening about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza featuring Australian doctor Mohammed Mustafa and hosted by independent senator David Pocock.
Dr Mustafa volunteered in Gaza, providing medical care during two postings, and wants to build a children’s hospital there.
Dr Mustafa was born a Palestinian refugee, and the emergency physician’s family was displaced by Israel.
“If I can put aside my trauma and my pain, now I’m asking the other side to put aside their trauma and their pain, because what we’re witnessing right now is catastrophic,” he said.
“We need everybody to come together and stop what’s going on.”
Israel’s ambassador to Australia, Amir Maimon, has been contacted for comment.
More than 53,000 people in Gaza have been killed, according to local authorities, after Israel retaliated following an attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023.
The October 7 attack killed 1200 people and resulted in 250 hostages being taken, according to Israel’s tallies.
Canada, France and the UK last week warned of “further concrete action” if Israel doesn’t halt its military campaign and lift aid restrictions.
Using starvation as a method of warfare is a war crime, according to international law experts.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese previously said Israel’s actions in Gaza were completely unacceptable and “the idea that a democratic state withholds supply is an outrage”.
AAP
