Fed: Stop supporting Israel: Greens
09 Jan 2009 2:08 PM
CANBERRA, Jan 9 AAP - Australia must stop supporting Israel's military push into Gaza and stand up for the victims of the conflict, the Australian Greens say.
Greens leader Bob Brown said the death of a UN worker in an Israeli shelling and the deaths of 43 people in a UN school made it imperative Australia found its voice on the issue.
"The Australian government must end its acquiescence to Israel's military operations in Gaza," Senator Brown said.
"The Australian government's backing of the Bush administration's near universal support for Israel' actions is an abrogation of international and human rights law and will do nothing to bring about peace in the Middle East."
The federal government has not condemned Israel's actions during the conflict, and has said it recognises Israel's right to self-defence.
On Thursday, Acting Prime Minister Julia Gillard reiterated that the catalyst for the affair was shelling by Hamas on Israel.
"I did say in the early days and I would happily say it now that obviously there was Hamas shelling into southern Israel and Israel responded," Ms Gillard told ABC Radio.
She called for a lasting ceasefire and said it would have to involve an end to shelling by Hamas on Israel, an opening of borders, and an end to arms shipments into Gaza.
