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

The Australian government is gravely concerned by the crisis in Gaza and prospects for a further escalation in violence. Australia condemns the repeated rocket and mortar attacks on Israel from the Gaza Strip and calls for them to end immediately.

An opposition senator: That's not what you said before.

I have said that every day I have spoken on this matter—every day, without exception. We recognise Israel's right to defend itself, like that of any country subject to attack. Any response by Israel needs to be proportionate and not lead to civilian casualties. We have on more than a dozen occasions called on both sides to exercise restraint. We call for any public demonstrations or rallies in Australia to be peaceful and not to target private businesses or individuals. The Australian government supports a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict—a solution based on the right of Israel to live in peace within secure borders and reflecting the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people to also live in peace— (Time expired)