But we must be consistent in our compassion and we must be consistent in calling out war crimes—because, make no mistake, that is exactly what is happening in Gaza, as we speak. Airstrikes on hospitals and refugee camps are abhorrent crimes against humanity that no nation committed to peace and justice can support.
Senator ALLMAN-PAYNE (Queensland) (17:09): I rise to speak today with a deep sense of pain for the innocent civilians who have lost their lives in Gaza and Israel. No civilian should ever be the target of the violence of war. The horrific attack on Israel by Hamas has rightly moved all of us to voice our compassion and solidarity with the people of Israel and to decry this senseless and indefensible brutality.
But we must be consistent in our compassion and we must be consistent in calling out war crimes—because, make no mistake, that is exactly what is happening in Gaza, as we speak. Airstrikes on hospitals and refugee camps are abhorrent crimes against humanity that no nation committed to peace and justice can support. The Greens share in the grief and horror of this unfolding tragedy. The Australian government must condemn in the strongest terms this utter disregard for the sanctity of human life and demand an immediate end to this senseless carnage.