Ex-Labor senator calls for tougher sanctions on Israel
Tess Ikonomou |
Australia is being urged to provide further support to Palestine as Labor faces grassroots pressure over the war in Gaza.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has confirmed Australia will recognise Palestinian statehood at the UN in September, joining more than 140 member states.
The move follows similar commitments from countries such as the UK, France, and Canada.
But it has failed to quieten calls for further action ahead of a national day of protest on August 24.
Former Labor senator and left-faction heavyweight Doug Cameron said the government should do all it can to support a Palestinian state, including reconstruction efforts when the conflict ends.
“We should not treat Palestine any differently to any other recognised state in the world, and there should be an embassy,” he told AAP.
“If the Israeli government continues to kill innocent Palestinians, Labor has got no choice but to implement stronger and effective sanctions against a government that’s committing genocide.”
Israel rejects that its actions in Gaza amount to genocide.
The latest outbreak of war in Gaza began when Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, killing 1200 people and taking about 250 hostage.
Israel’s military response has since killed more than 61,000 people, according to Gaza health authorities.
Former foreign affairs minister Bob Carr has called for sanctions against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
He was among past and present Labor MPs who attended a pro-Palestine march across the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Hamas has welcomed the Albanese government’s decision to recognise Palestine, saying it reflects “political courage”.
Mr Cameron said he did not give any credence to anything said by the designated terror group, which he said was guilty of war crimes and needed to be brought to justice by international courts.
The response from Hamas contradicts the prime minister’s claims the terrorist group would be opposed to the nation’s recognition because it wanted Israel to be destroyed.
Australia was also among more than 20 countries issuing a joint statement calling for urgent action by Israel to allow aid to enter Gaza.
Israel denies it is responsible for the lack of food in the war zone, accusing Hamas of stealing aid shipments.
The Albanese government’s decision on Palestinian statehood marks a divergence from its closest security ally the US, which has opposed formal acknowledgement.
Opposition Leader Sussan Ley has vowed to rip up Australia’s recognition if elected, while maintaining such a decision should come at the end of a peace process.
AAP
