Bob Carr (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

This week the President of Egypt, President Morsi, intervened to help broker a ceasefire. Egypt is continuing discussions with both sides and we fully support its efforts. The intervention of the President is a reassertion of Egypt's regional leadership and is to be welcomed in general and, in this case, in particular. On November 19, European Union foreign ministers met in Brussels. The ministers condemned the rocket attacks on Israel and called for an urgent end to hostilities. The EU High Representative Catherine Ashton said:

…attacks must end immediately, or even more innocent civilians will suffer.

We are calling for urgent de-escalation and cessation of hostilities. In this respect we support the mediation efforts of Egypt and other parties.

Yesterday UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon met Israeli PM Netanyahu in Jerusalem and urged both sides to reach an immediate ceasefire. He said:

Further escalation would be dangerous and tragic for Palestinians and Israelis, and would put the entire region at risk.

Yesterday, the Secretary-General of the league of Arab states, al-Arabi, and a delegation of 10 Arab League foreign ministers arrived in Gaza for talks. Yesterday in New York, the UN Security Council met in a closed-door session and will reconvene soon pending the outcome of ceasefire discussions. Today, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton met with the Israeli leadership in Jerusalem and Secretary Clinton said:

The goal must be a durable outcome that promotes regional stability and advances the security and legitimate aspirations of Israelis and Palestinians alike.

The secretary will later meet President Abbas in Ramallah before travelling on to Cairo. Talk of a possible ceasefire has intensified in the last 24 hours. (Time expired)