On 18 October, as the State of Israel was raining bombs down on Gaza, as civilians perished and hospitals lay in ruins, the Labor and Liberal parties passed a motion through this place that said the Senate stands with Israel. The Australian Greens did not support that motion precisely because those words were included, and now, three weeks later, over 10,000 Palestinian civilians have died in Gaza.
Senator McKIM (Tasmania—Australian Greens Whip) (13:46): On 18 October, as the State of Israel was raining bombs down on Gaza, as civilians perished and hospitals lay in ruins, the Labor and Liberal parties passed a motion through this place that said the Senate stands with Israel. The Australian Greens did not support this precisely—
Senator Scarr: It said a few other things, Nick.
The ACTING DEPUTY PRESIDENT ( Senator Polley ): Order! Resume your seat please, Senator McKim. I remind the Senate that people have the expectation they are going to be heard in silence and with respect. We know this is a very sensitive issue, and I remind everyone here that Senator McKim has the call.
Senator McKIM: On 18 October, as the State of Israel was raining bombs down on Gaza, as civilians perished and hospitals lay in ruins, the Labor and Liberal parties passed a motion through this place that said the Senate stands with Israel. The Australian Greens did not support that motion precisely because those words were included, and now, three weeks later, over 10,000 Palestinian civilians have died in Gaza. Countless more have been injured. Babies and children are dying every day. Fuel and electricity have been cut off. Thirst, starvation and displacement are part of the daily lives of millions of people. Large parts of Gaza have been turned into rubble. It is profoundly distressing, a humanitarian catastrophe of the highest order, so I say to the Labor and Liberal parties: do you still stand with Israel? Because from everything you have done and said and everything you have not done and not said, it appears that you do. I ask you this: how many people need to die while you still stand with Israel? How many babies need to be slaughtered while you still stand with Israel? How many children need to be buried alive while you still stand with Israel? The time for standing with Israel has passed. The time for a ceasefire is now. Stop the slaughter in Gaza—ceasefire now! (Time expired)
Government senators interjecting—
The ACTING DEPUTY PRESIDENT: Order! Senators, you are denying other people the opportunity to make a contribution. I remind you that all senators deserve to be heard in silence.