What I would say, Senator—and you would be aware from my comments from day one and my speech to this chamber in relation to the motion which was passed—we recognise Israel’s right to defend itself. What I have also said is that how Israel conducts this conflict matters. I have also consistently—as have the United States and, yesterday, the United Kingdom—called for the observance of international law.
Senator WATERS (Queensland—Leader of the Australian Greens in the Senate) (14:17): My question is to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Minister Wong. With even hospitals in Gaza being bombed, leaving hundreds of dead, will the government now call for the invasion of Gaza to end?
Senator WONG (South Australia—Minister for Foreign Affairs and Leader of the Government in the Senate) (14:18): First, in relation to Gaza, we have seen devastating loss of innocent lives since the attacks on Israel by Hamas. I would again say the scenes from the explosion at Gaza City hospital are deeply distressing and it is clear there has been a devastating loss of life. We should all continue to assert that every innocent life matters, whether Israeli or Palestinian, and we should extend, obviously, our deepest sympathies to all killed, those injured and their loved ones. There are obviously conflicting reports about what has occurred.
What I would say, Senator—and you would be aware from my comments from day one and my speech to this chamber in relation to the motion which was passed—we recognise Israel’s right to defend itself. What I have also said is that how Israel conducts this conflict matters. I have also consistently—as have the United States and, yesterday, the United Kingdom—called for the observance of international law. We have consistently said that civilian lives should be protected. This is a very distressing and difficult situation, and it is important that Australia continues to assert the position that really we have always asserted, as a matter of principle, which is that we urge the protection of civilian lives.
The PRESIDENT: Senator Waters, first supplementary?
Senator WATERS (Queensland—Leader of the Australian Greens in the Senate) (14:20): Almost half the people in Gaza are children. Israel’s siege and bombing of Gaza, halting all water, fuel and food to the people, is creating a humanitarian catastrophe. Does the government support Israel’s illegal blockade and bombing of Gaza?
Senator WONG (South Australia—Minister for Foreign Affairs and Leader of the Government in the Senate) (14:20): I would refer to my previous answer. We believe that Israel has a right to defend itself. However, we have always, from the beginning of this, called for the protection of human life and for restraint. I would ask the Greens to be aware of what I said in response to Senator Birmingham’s question. I would ask all people in this place to look carefully at what the director-general of ASIO said about words being inflamed. This is not an ordinary political debate. This is a debate where all of us—and we have different views; we also have views where we come together; let’s not forget that—have to be very careful about how it is we talk about these issues and avoid inflammatory language. Every civilian life matters, whether Palestinian or Israeli.
The PRESIDENT: Senator Waters, second supplementary?
Senator WATERS (Queensland—Leader of the Australian Greens in the Senate) (14:21): These actions are war crimes, and legal experts have said Israel’s actions breach international law. Why is the government refusing to acknowledge what the world is witnessing? Will the government now agree that Israel’s actions are in breach of international law?
Senator WONG (South Australia—Minister for Foreign Affairs and Leader of the Government in the Senate) (14:22): I refer to my previous answer. I again say—
Senator Steele-John: It takes your breath away.
The PRESIDENT: Senator Steele-John!
Senator WONG: I am responding to the interjection with some disbelief that people are so unable to listen to what some of our officers are telling us—
Senator Steele-John interjecting—
The PRESIDENT: Senator Steele-John, I’ve called you to order.
Senator WONG: and understanding what’s happening in the community. Every life matters. Every innocent life matters. Every civilian life matters. We urge Israel, in defending itself, to observe international law and to protect human life. That has been my position since my very first public response to these events.