There has been, clearly, a devastating loss of civilian life, and I want to reiterate what I said yesterday and what the Prime Minister said: every innocent life matters, whether Israeli or Palestinian. We express that our thoughts are with those killed or injured and their loved ones, that the protection of civilian life must come first and that respect for international humanitarian law is paramount, and we join with others in doing so.
Senator BIRMINGHAM (South Australia—Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) (14:28): My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Wong. In response to a question from Senator Waters yesterday in relation to the explosion at al-Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza, which has resulted in further tragic loss of innocent lives, you correctly at the time noted:
There are obviously conflicting reports about what has occurred.
Overnight, President Biden has stated that, based on US information, it appears to be as a result of an errant rocket fired by a terrorist group in Gaza. A spokesperson for the United States National Security Council further clarified:
… our current assessment, based on analysis of overhead imagery, intercepts, and open source information, is that Israel is not responsible for the explosion at the hospital in Gaza …
Minister, what is Australia’s assessment or understanding of responsibility for the tragic explosion at al-Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza?
Senator WONG (South Australia—Minister for Foreign Affairs and Leader of the Government in the Senate) (14:30): I thank Senator Birmingham for the question, and I start first by again saying that we saw devastating loss of life in the heinous attacks on Israel by Hamas and we have also seen tragic loss of life in the explosion at the hospital in Gaza. There has been, clearly, a devastating loss of civilian life, and I want to reiterate what I said yesterday and what the Prime Minister said: every innocent life matters, whether Israeli or Palestinian. We express that our thoughts are with those killed or injured and their loved ones, that the protection of civilian life must come first and that respect for international humanitarian law is paramount, and we join with others in doing so.
My response is to the question about the attack itself. Obviously this is a conflict zone. Assessments are difficult. I think it is probably most appropriate, again, to refer to the US National Security Council’s words, which Senator Birmingham referenced. The statement that was made was:
While we continue to collect information, our current assessment … is that Israel is not responsible for the explosion at the hospital in Gaza yesterday.
What I would say, however, is that we recognise the great distress that so many in the Australian community are feeling at this time—from the Jewish community, and also from the Palestinian community and the Muslim community more generally. I think everybody looking at what has occurred, and most particularly or most recently the deaths of civilians at the hospital, would agree this is a tragic set of circumstances. (Time expired)
The PRESIDENT: Senator Birmingham, a first supplementary?
Senator BIRMINGHAM (South Australia—Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) (14:32): Minister, are you aware of any progress towards the release of Israeli hostages that continue to be held by Hamas some 12 days after their brutal and bloody assault on Israel? Further, are you aware of any progress to ensure humanitarian supplies, including food, water and medicines, are made available to innocent citizens, civilians, in Gaza?
Senator WONG (South Australia—Minister for Foreign Affairs and Leader of the Government in the Senate) (14:32): Thank you to Senator Birmingham. In relation to the first question, I have no update to provide to the Senate in relation to the situation regarding hostages. I simply indicate that Australia has privately and publicly called for the release of hostages, and I’m sure we are joined by all in this chamber.
In relation to humanitarian assistance, this has remained challenging, as has the related issue of foreign nationals and civilians being permitted to exit Gaza by the limited number of crossings into the Gaza Strip which are available. We have obviously seen, on many days, indications that this might happen. I spoke to the United Nations coordinator for the Middle East peace process about this, just yesterday. I note some statements overnight from President— (Time expired)
The PRESIDENT: Senator Birmingham, a second supplementary question?
Senator BIRMINGHAM (South Australia—Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) (14:33): I refer to statements also made overnight by ASIO Director-General Mike Burgess regarding people from the neo-Nazi cohort and the Sunni violent extremist cohort consuming and commenting on extremist or inciteful material. What steps is the government taking to ensure that Australians of Jewish faith, of Islamic faith, or of any background, are safe and are able to feel that they are safe and welcome in our country?
Senator WONG (South Australia—Minister for Foreign Affairs and Leader of the Government in the Senate) (14:34): The first thing that we all must do—the government is doing, but all of us must do—is to recognise that our words matter. This is a moment where feelings and attitudes in our country are affected obviously by the events we are seeing but also by the words of leaders, by the words of politicians. So the government is working to engage with members of the Jewish community and with members of the Palestinian community and the Muslim community more broadly. I think it was very important. I thank the opposition for their support of a bipartisan motion on this. We may have different political views, but there are times when it is very important that the parties of government speak together, because our multicultural community—our diverse community—which is hurting, really need politicians to be able to speak as one on the key issues that matter, and I thank you for that. (Time expired)