Wong calls for humanitarian pause
'We expect the Australian government to remain firmly on the side of Israel in the difficult days ahead," ECAJ co-CEO Alex Ryvchin says
Foreign Minister Penny Wong on Thursday reiterated a call for Israel to pause its operation in Gaza and allow humanitarian aid and aid workers in.
“Australia has consistently called for safe, unimpeded and sustained humanitarian access, and safe passage for civilians from Gaza,” she said in a statement.
“There has been access in recent days but nowhere near enough. Humanitarian pauses are essential to ensure this assistance and that of our partners flows into Gaza.
“The way Israel exercises its right to defend itself matters. It matters to civilians throughout the region, and it matters to Israel’s ongoing security.”
Wong also told Senate Estimates on Thursday that Gazans should “not suffer because of the outrages perpetrated by Hamas”.
Qualifying that the Foreign Minister “has been steadfast in her support of Israel and the Jewish community following the atrocities of October 7 and the continuing hostage crisis”, Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-CEO Alex Ryvchin said, “Israel didn’t want this war.
“It doesn’t want to be sending its best and brightest to fight terrorists in tunnels. But there can be no peace with a savage, sadistic band of terrorists. That is absolutely clear.
“Israel’s destruction of Hamas over the coming weeks and months will have implications for the entire world and we expect the Australian government to remain firmly on the side of Israel in the difficult days ahead,” he said.
Wong also announced on Thursday that Australia will provide an additional $15 million in humanitarian assistance for civilians affected by the conflict in Gaza, the West Bank and across the region.
The funding will be delivered through the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, UNICEF, UNFPA, UN agencies and “trusted partners”.
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