Australia backs UN resolution for Gaza ceasefire in rare split with US
After dire warnings by UN officials over a deepening humanitarian crisis in Gaza in the two month long war between Israel and Hamas, the 193-member UN General Assembly passed a resolution calling for a ceasefire with 153 countries including Australia voting in favour and 23 abstaining. — Reuters pic
Wednesday, 13 Dec 2023 11:59 AM MYT
SYDNEY, Dec 13 — Australia Foreign Minister Penny Wong said today the country had supported a UN resolution calling for a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza out of concern for civilians in the besieged enclave, in a rare split with close ally the United States.
After dire warnings by UN officials over a deepening humanitarian crisis in Gaza in the two month long war between Israel and Hamas, the 193-member UN General Assembly passed a resolution calling for a ceasefire with 153 countries including Australia voting in favour and 23 abstaining.
Ten countries voted against including the US and Israel, which argue a ceasefire only benefits Hamas.
“Australia has consistently affirmed Israel’s right to defend itself,” Wong told a news conference in Adelaide after the UN resolution passed.
“And in doing so, we have said as Israel must respect international humanitarian law, civilians and civilian infrastructure, including hospitals must be protected.
“The resolution we have supported is consistent with the position we have previously outlined on these issues.
Canada, Australia and New Zealand — which along with the US and Britain make up the intelligence alliance known as the Five Eyes — released a joint statement yesterday backing the ceasefire.
“We think it’s important that we have very close allies and like-minded countries speak together in support of the position that we’ve articulated,” Wong said, adding the statement had been under discussion “for some time”.
Australia and Canada abstained from an October UN resolution calling for a ceasefire, with New Zealand voting in favour.
The US is one of Australia’s closest allies. As well as the Five Eyes, the two nations are part of the AUKUS security pact with Britain, and have been in lock step on foreign policy for decades. — Reuters
Australia has over the years admitted several million Middle East Muslim migrants, which over the years has had their population swell to many millions. They are a key Labour constituency (Muslim Middle East communities almost NEVER vote Liberal or other conservative party ) , which PM Albanese cannot afford to ignore.
ReplyDeleteWakakaka…
DeleteMany millions of Middle East Muslim migrants?
Mfer, have u checked the current oz population census?
The Albanese govt is ONLY doing the right thing under humanitarian consideration.