Penny Allman-Payne (Queensland, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

There needs to be a fundamental shift in how the world views and treats Israel. Israel's genocidal intent has been clear for years, well before October 7, and it has only grown stronger and more sickening. Its leaders have called for mass extermination of Palestinians. They have praised the mass gang rape of Palestinian political prisoners, and they are now starving an entire population to the brink of death. Reports indicate that for many of those who have miraculously survived the carpet bombing of Gaza, starvation has reached a point where, even if survival is possible, long-term damage has already been done. Israel is not a credible actor nor any kind of future partner in peace. They are fundamentally disinterested in the humanity of Palestinians and in peace in the region, and they will say and do anything with no fear of consequences. They murder Palestinians, they bomb Lebanon, they bomb Iran, they bomb Yemen, they bomb Syria, and they do these things openly and advertise their genocide to the world.

One day, everyone will have been against this, and that is what we are beginning to see now. But this is bigger than Netanyahu and his war cabinet. Some people will try to paint it as the actions of a few politicians rather than as a systemic symptom of an ideology shared across government and the Knesset. Next time Israel or the US announce a truncated ceasefire or a hostage swap, or that they have allowed some aid into Gaza, don't let that be the end of the pressure, because they will turn around the next minute and they will continue the slaughter. This sudden onset of mild concern by various western governments, including Australia, must be the beginning of a campaign of maximum pressure against Israel. Words were never enough. Recognition is not enough. Israel must feel the full weight of global pressure, or else the killing will continue.

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