PM condemns Israel on Gaza aid restrictions
"I made it very clear that Australia finds these actions as completely unacceptable," says Albanese.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese strongly criticised Israel’s restrictions on humanitarian aid entering Gaza, calling it “completely unacceptable.”
Speaking at a press conference on Monday, the PM said, “It is outrageous that there be a blockade of food and supplies to people who are in need in Gaza. We have made that very clear by signing up to international statements. I made it clear in a discussion that I had with the President of Israel, President Herzog, in Rome just days ago. I made it very clear that Australia finds these actions as completely unacceptable, and we find Israel’s excuses and explanations completely untenable and without credibility.”
The PM condemned Hamas saying the terror group should have no role in governing Gaza or the West Bank, and reiterated his call for the immediate release of hostages. Albanese also warned against antisemitism in Australia.
“People should not bring conflict here, which some of the acts of antisemitism have done, have attempted to do… But you can be a clear opponent of all that and still be able to be critical of the actions of the Israeli Government,” he said.
Albanese’s comments follow Israel allowing limited aid deliveries into Gaza last week after a two-month blockade, which the UN criticised as severely insufficient to meet the needs of the population. Around 500 trucks with humanitarian aid entered Gaza last week, but there are reports of thousands of trucks on the Gaza border waiting to enter. Israel has said the slow process is due to inspections and to prevent looting.