Mehreen Faruqi (NSW, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to Minister Wong. Overnight, all members of the UN Security Council except Trump's America backed the IPC's declaration that the famine in Gaza is man made, with half a million people at risk of starvation. By blocking food and aid, Israel has engineered a famine of a scale, pace and severity not seen before, to kill Palestinians. More than 2,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel's deathtraps while seeking food. More than 300 have been starved to death. Starvation is designed to maximise suffering and is a most barbaric way to kill. Minister, all your words, outrage, statements and letters have done nothing to stop Israel's genocide and starvation. When will you impose meaningful sanctions on Israel to force them to end this starvation and open up all borders for aid?

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

We condemn Israel's denial of aid. We have done so with partners. We condemn the killing of civilians seeking to access water and food. We have issued statements with multiple other countries to place pressure on Israel. You may have seen Prime Minister Netanyahu's response. Aid should be delivered. We are all horrified by what is occurring, and I think you can see what this government is seeking to do with other countries to try to find a pathway to peace.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Faruqi, first supplementary.

Mehreen Faruqi (NSW, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Israeli ambassador to Australia says there is no starvation in Gaza as he spruiks Israel's lies and propaganda. The Israeli ambassador represents a rogue genocidal state that is committing war crime after war crime. Why is he still here? Minister, you yourself have said that you condemn Israel's denial of starvation. When will you expel the Israeli ambassador from Australia?

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Well, we disagree with the Israeli ambassador's comments. I think the findings of the UN body that you reference confirm what we have been saying with others for some time—

Mehreen Faruqi (NSW, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Do something, Minister.

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

If I may, Senator—and what the Prime Minister has called out, where he said very clearly that failing to provide aid is a breach of international law. International law requires that humanitarian assistance be provided.

In relation to the diplomatic relationship, we have diplomatic relationships with many countries.

Mehreen Faruqi (NSW, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Genocidal countries?

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order!

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

We have diplomatic relationships with countries with whom we do not agree. We have those relationships because they are a way in which we can communicate, we can have dialogue, we can express our views and we can assert our interests. That is called diplomacy, and that is what governments do.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Faruqi, second supplementary.

Mehreen Faruqi (NSW, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Hundreds of thousands of people have been marching in the streets across this country to demand that you sanction Israel and end the two-way arms trade. Cricket hero Usman Khawaja has today asked the Prime Minister to take the opportunity to show leadership on Gaza. Will you listen to the people of this country and finally choose leadership over cowardice? Will you finally choose humanity over politics?

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I hope that, in this country, we can express our views on these issues without seeking to personally diminish others; certainly, that's the approach I seek to take. Yes, the Prime Minister did meet with Mr Khawaja. I also hope to meet with him.

In relation to sanctions, you would be aware we have sanctioned Israel; we have sanctioned two Israeli ministers and a number of entities and individuals in relation to their activities in abrogating the human rights of Palestinians. You would also know that this government has made the decision that we will recognise Palestine at a high level. We've done that in concert with others because we are seeking to find and build a pathway to peace in circumstances where we see a horrific war continuing. We will continue to do that work with other countries because we are doing what we can internationally. (Time expired)