David Shoebridge (NSW, Australian Greens) | Hansard source

The independent UN commission of inquiry into the violent occupation of Palestinian territory by the Israeli government has now made this damning report into the killing of children. Palestinian children, the UN has found, have been deliberately targeted, including post-ceasefire, with the Israeli Defence Forces intending to destroy the existence of Palestinians in Gaza. The report details how more than 20,000—20,179—children have been killed. More than 44,000 children in addition to that have been injured, and the report details the brutality of the IDF and the Israeli occupation in Gaza and the West Bank. Children have experienced torture and inhumane and degrading treatment, including sexual and gender based violence, and Israel has been targeting critical infrastructure through large-yield bombs. Schools, orphanages and healthcare facilities have all been targeted and destroyed by Israel through large-yield bombs.

Some of the examples are just so appalling that it's hard to imagine how Israel has escaped widespread global sanctions, but here are some. In January 2024, five-year-old Hind Rajab was killed alongside the rest of her family of seven in a family car, and the IDF deliberately obstructed rescue attempts, despite knowing that there were seriously injured children in the car. In January 2024, a member of the IDF with a sniper rifle shot a 15-year-old boy three times. He was waving a white cloth as his family attempted to evacuate a building in Khan Younis. The conclusion is that the last two shots were likely meant to ensure that the boy—the 15-year old boy with a white flag—was dead. His 20-year-old brother was also killed while rushing to the body of his brother.

Three times Senator Wong was given the opportunity to explain why, in light of these findings, Australia has not imposed a two-way arms trade embargo. Three times Senator Wong was asked, 'Why won't Australia impose the same sanctions on Israel as we imposed on Russia for their illegal war?' and three times Senator Wong failed to even mention the two-way arms trade and failed to even mention the details in the UN report. Her silence and her refusal spoke volumes. (Time expired)

Question agreed to.