'Tidal wave of emotions'"This war has been devastating"

Australian leaders react to hostage and ceasefire deal

"The Jewish world will never forget the sacrifices made by Israeli servicemen and women, including 407 who made the ultimate sacrifice," said Alex Ryvchin.

Demonstrators react after a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas was announced. Photo: Itai Ron/Flash90
Demonstrators react after a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas was announced. Photo: Itai Ron/Flash90

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Foreign Minister Penny Wong have welcomed the announcement of a “ceasefire and hostage agreement”.

In a joint statement, they called on all parties to respect its terms and safeguard a lasting peace, “including ensuring the immediate release of all hostages and unimpeded and sustained increases in humanitarian assistance to all parts of Gaza”.

“Our thoughts are with all the civilians killed, displaced and taken hostage in this conflict, and the many humanitarian workers who lost their lives in the service of others,” the statement said.

“This agreement is a constructive step towards peace and stability in the region. It must mark the beginning of a new chapter for the Israeli and Palestinian people. Australia will continue working with the international community towards a two-state solution – a Palestinian state and the State of Israel, living side by side in peace and security within internationally recognised borders.

“We hope it will allow the Palestinian people the opportunity to rebuild, reform their governance, and pursue self-determination. Australia remains unequivocal in our condemnation of Hamas’ atrocities on 7 October, and its ongoing acts of terror.

“There must be no role for Hamas in the future governance of Gaza. Any future Palestinian state must not be in a position to threaten Israel’s security.

“We will continue to act in partnership with the international community to support the urgent humanitarian needs of the people of Gaza. We thank the mediators- the United States, Qatar and Egypt-for their tireless efforts to bring parties to an agreement to end this war.”

Member for Macnamara Josh Burns said, “For the families of the hostages, whose loved ones will finally be coming home, and for the civilians of Gaza, whose lives have been torn apart, it is the agreement they’ve been waiting for.

“Pain and suffering doesn’t distinguish between culture or religion. For both Israelis and Palestinians, this war has been devastating and the loss will be felt forever. Today, we join them in waiting for the return of every hostage and the rebuilding of every home.”

Senator Dave Sharma said the “growing pressure on Hamas and its allies has brought this about”.

“Importantly, the deal will lead to the release of some of the hostages and greater humanitarian assistance to flow to Gaza,” said Sharma.

“Hamas should immediately release all remaining hostages.”

Allegra Spender MP said, “the return of hostages, the end to the fighting and the chance, I hope, to start laying the foundations for a safe and prosperous future for Israelis and Palestinians”.

Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ) co-CEO Alex Ryvchin said: “Israel articulated three clear war aims: to bring the hostages home; to annihilate the Hamas leadership and those responsible for October 7, and to ensure that Hamas can never carry out such an attack ever again.

“Now, after 15 months of brutal urban warfare fought in Hamas’s subterranean lair that befits an evil not of this world, Israel can claim a rightful victory on all three measures,” he said.

“Israel could continue to raid different suburbs of Gaza when it sees signs of Hamas activity but at some point, the cost of such operations outweighs its diminishing returns. That point has come.

“The Jewish world will never forget the sacrifices made by Israeli servicemen and women, including 407 who made the ultimate sacrifice. We will live in their debt and tell the stories of their heroism. And perhaps in time, the free world will come to its senses, and find its gratitude to them too.”

Zionist Federation of Australia (ZFA) president Jeremy Leibler said “we pray the 33 hostages will all be returned alive to their families, but we also must see the release of the remaining 65 hostages as soon as possible.

“It’s unfathomable that women, children, and the elderly have been held captive in the dungeons of Gaza for over fifteen months. It is clear that this significant milestone was achieved due to the combined pressure applied by President elect Donald Trump and the Biden administration on Hamas; the terrorist group who started this war on October 7, and who is responsible for the suffering of so many innocent people on both sides.

“We welcome the Australian Prime Minister’s statement that ‘there must be no role for Hamas in the future governance of Gaza.’ Unless there is a new generation of Palestinian political leadership that disavows violence and terrorism, and which leads Palestinians to collectively recognise Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish State, there is no viable basis for a Palestinian state.”

The Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council (AIJAC) said it was “elated and relieved” over the deal, but mindful of those left behind and remaining ambiguity over Hamas’ role.

“We also note that the current deal is, in the main, the same deal that has been on offer since last July, and which Hamas has repeatedly rejected. We are therefore hopeful that acceptance of it now is a signal that the decimated leadership of Hamas – along with their gravely weakened patrons in Teheran – understand they have comprehensively lost the war they started on October 7, and will have to accept disarmament or exile,” the AIJAC statement said.

“However, we would caution that the current deal, while promising, is at best only the beginning of the end of the war. Much remains to be done – including ensuring all remaining Israeli hostages are released, Hamas is disarmed and dismantled, and arrangements put in place that will ensure Gaza is governed in a way that prioritises the welfare of its residents, rather than, as previously, preparations for endless terror war against Israel.”

In a statement, Zionism Victoria said, “Gaza must never again pose a threat to Israel and the world must do everything to oppose the creation of a ‘Palestinian State’ which would bring death and suffering”.

“Israel will have to pay a heavy price, releasing a wholly disproportionate number of convicted Palestinian terrorists,” the statement continued.

“It is far too early for us to put away our ‘Bring Them Home Now’ banners. Until each and every one of the hostages is home, the campaign continues.”

Chairman of the Anti-Defamation Commission Dvir Abramovich described the deal as a “tidal wave of emotions for Israel and the Jewish people”.

“The announcement that 33 hostages, ripped from their families in an act of pure evil on October 7, 2023, will soon return home is a sliver of light piercing a pitch-black abyss,” he said.”

“Let us not mistake this moment for closure. The international community has a moral imperative to act with unrelenting urgency and ensure that every last hostage is freed. Anything less is a betrayal of justice and humanity.

“Let this moment also remind us of Israel’s unshakable commitment to the sanctity of life and the lengths it will go to ensure the safety of its citizens. Let it remind us that even in the face of unimaginable darkness, hope can prevail, and light can shine through.”

Australian Jewish Association CEO Robert Gregory said took aim at the Albanese Government, who “did nothing constructive to secure their release”.

“It has taken the re-election of Donald Trump to see progress,” said Gregory.

“We share the concerns of many Israelis that this deal comes at a massive and painful cost and could lead to many more deaths in the medium term.

“Numerous dangerous murderers will go free, making the world a much more dangerous place and paving the way for the next massacre. The masterminds of October 7 were themselves freed in a previous deal.

Gregory cautioned that there are “doubts that a terrorist organisation like Hamas will honour the agreement”.

“We are already seeing prominent Gazans publicly call for renewed conflict for the destruction of Israel which is also a thinly veiled call for the genocide of Jews,” he said.

“There are armed jihadists celebrating and chanting to proceed to Jerusalem.”

 

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