In one of his most forceful statements yet, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has sharply criticised Israel for blocking humanitarian aid to Gaza, calling the nation’s “excuses and explanations” for doing so “untenable” and describing the blockade as an “outrage” by a democratic state.
His comments come amid growing international condemnation of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s decision to permit only minimal humanitarian assistance into the conflict-ravaged Palestinian territory.
While Australia has not signed on to a joint threat of sanctions issued by the United Kingdom, France, and Canada, it has expressed strong opposition to Israel’s current aid policy and has called for the immediate restoration of full humanitarian access to Gaza.
“The idea that a democratic state withholds supply is an outrage,” Mr Albanese said. “People are starving. Israel’s actions are completely unacceptable.”
The United Nations has issued dire warnings that Gaza is on the brink of famine, with reports that tens of thousands of children are suffering from acute malnutrition.
International Pressure Mounts
The joint statement from the UK, France, and Canada warned Israel that further delay in aid delivery could result in “concrete actions” — widely interpreted as a potential precursor to sanctions. Although the statement was from only three G7 nations, Mr Albanese clarified that Australia did not sign on because it was presented as a G7 initiative.
Nonetheless, he said he personally conveyed Australia’s disapproval to Israeli President Isaac Herzog during a recent meeting in Rome.
Calls for Stronger Australian Action
Former cabinet minister Ed Husic, who was recently removed from cabinet, publicly urged the Albanese government to do more to pressure Israel. Writing in The Guardian, Husic praised the stance of the UK, France, and Canada and criticised Australia’s decision to remain outside the joint threat.
“Now is the time to act,” he wrote, pointing to UN warnings that 14,000 babies are at risk of dying from malnutrition in Gaza.
Husic, the first Muslim MP to serve in federal cabinet, also suggested that his outspoken views on Gaza contributed to his dismissal.
Israel Remains Defiant
In response to international criticism, Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Oren Marmorstein said foreign pressure would not deter Israel from its security goals, asserting that the country would continue to defend its existence.
Mr Albanese reiterated that Hamas has no role in Gaza’s future and again called for the immediate release of hostages taken during the October 7 terror attacks.
