2024-12-12
The Greens have said Labor’s move towards the Greens’ consistently advocated position for an immediate, permanent and unconditional ceasefire proved the minor party right from the beginning, but have criticised Labor for allowing tens of thousands of people to be killed in Gaza before starting to recognise the reality of the unfolding genocide.
The Greens say Labor must now start to implement the Greens’ calls for sanctions on the extremist Netanyahu government, and commit to actioning arrest warrants issued by the ICC.
Lines attributable to Adam Bandt MP, Leader of the Australian Greens:
“Labor is recognising the Greens were right all along to call for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire, but tragically tens of thousands of people have been killed in Gaza in the meantime.
“The Greens opposed the invasion of Gaza from the beginning, and consistently called for an immediate, permanent and unconditional ceasefire. Labor attacked us, backed the invasion and refused to call for Benjamin Netanyahu to simply stop, but today Labor’s position has been exposed for the mistake it always was.
“Since the Greens first called for a ceasefire, Gaza has been levelled, its health system has totally collapsed and a genocide is unfolding, while international courts have issued an arrest warrant for Benjamin Netanyahu and found apartheid is being committed.
“Now Labor must do what the Greens have been calling for and put real pressure on Benjamin Netanyahu to stop the invasion, starting with sanctions on his extremist government and ending the two-way arms trade.”
Lines attributable to Greens Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Senator Jordon Steele-John:
“This is a move in the right direction but it must now be backed with action to pressure The State of Israel into complying with international law.
“Labor has resisted supporting an unconditional ceasefire for too long while tens of thousands have been killed and the extremist Netanyahu government has crossed every red line set out by the International Community.
“This government must end its opposition to applying sanctions to members of the State of Israel’s government including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Yoav Gallant, Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich.
“Australia must now show leadership by joining South Africa’s case at the international Court of Justice and by stopping the two-way arms trade with Israel.
“There is a genocide occurring in Gaza right now and we cannot afford not to act.”