Human Rights Council

Special Session on Israel and the Palestinian Territories

Australian Statement

Australia is deeply saddened by the loss and suffering from the recent violence in Israel and the Palestinian Territories.

Australia condemns the indiscriminate use of rockets by Hamas and other terrorist groups in Gaza. Attacks on civilians are utterly reprehensible and must be condemned by the international community.

Australia supports Israel’s right to defend itself in accordance with international law.

Equally, Palestinians must be allowed to live in peace and with dignity.

Solutions must be negotiated, not imposed.

Australia welcomes the ceasefire and commends the work done to achieve it.

Efforts must now focus on the immediate humanitarian needs on the ground, and then move to secure a just, durable and sustainable peace agreement.

Australia reaffirms its support for a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians, where Israel and a future Palestinian state coexist in peace and security within internationally recognised borders.

People in Israel, Gaza and the West Bank need their leaders to make courageous steps towards peace. We, the international community, have an obligation to support this.