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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has used some of his strongest language to condemn Israel’s blockade of food into Gaza and its “excuses” as being “without credibility”.
Israel is letting a trickle of humanitarian aid into Gaza after a nearly three-month blockade that strained food and medical supplies.
More than two million people in the strip face starvation and famine, the United Nations has warned.
Albanese branded Israel’s actions “completely unacceptable” and said he raised the issue with Israel’s president Isaac Herzog when they met on the sidelines of the pope’s inauguration in Rome.
“I clearly communicated that Australia considers these actions to be entirely unacceptable, and we find Israel’s justifications to be indefensible and lacking credibility,” he stated to reporters in Canberra on Monday.
“It’s outrageous that there’d be a blockade of food and supplies to people who are in need in Gaza.
“People are starving and the idea that a democratic state withholds supply is an outrage.”
Albanese reiterated Australia’s support for a ceasefire and for designated terrorist organisation Hamas to return Israeli hostages.
“We consistently and unequivocally oppose what happened on October 7, but states, which are democratic states, have a responsibility to behave in a way that is consistent with international law and with humanitarian concerns,” he said.
“The whole world is concerned about what has occurred with the blockade.”
Australians are against Gaza aid blockade, survey shows
Australians are largely in step with the prime minister, with about four in five people saying Israel’s deliberate hindrance of humanitarian aid isn’t justifiable, according to YouGov polling commissioned by a number of not-for-profit organisations.
Two-thirds of respondents said Australia should do more to support civilians in Gaza who cannot access food, water or medicine, the survey of 1,500 people found.
Support was highest amongst Labor voters for both statements.
Some 9,000 trucks are waiting to enter Gaza, Oxfam Australia’s acting chief executive Chrisanta Muli said.
“The small amount we’ve seen so far enter Gaza represents a trickle of water into an ocean of need,” Muli said.
“Australians want our government to take a stronger stance to halt the devastating destruction of Gaza and its people.
“They are clearly saying: ‘the current status quo is unacceptable’.”
