An excellent joint statement

Joint statement from the Prime Ministers of Australia, Canada and New Zealand:

Australia, Canada, and New Zealand mourn every Israeli and Palestinian innocent life which has been lost in this conflict and express our condolences to all families and communities affected by the violence.

The loss of innocent lives on both sides is a tragedy for their families, and wider communitites.

We unequivocally condemn Hamas’ terror attacks on Israel on October 7, the appalling loss of life, and the heinous acts of violence perpetrated in those attacks, including sexual violence. We condemn Hamas’ unacceptable treatment of hostages and call for the immediate and unconditional release of all remaining hostages.

And politician that doesn’t agree with the above is justifying murder, kidnapping and rape as legitimate tools to achieve political ends. Likewise anyone demanding an immediate ceasefire that doesn’t include the release of remaining hostages is showing they don’t care about them.

We recognise Israel’s right to exist and right to defend itself. In defending itself, Israel must respect international humanitarian law. Civilians and civilian infrastructure must be protected. We are alarmed at the diminishing safe space for civilians in Gaza. The price of defeating Hamas cannot be the continuous suffering of all Palestinian civilians.

All good also. They explicitly state Israel has a right to exist (something 85% of Palestinians oppose) and defend itself, but stress the response must be within international humanitarian law and there is a limit to how far they can go in defeating Hamas.

We want to see this pause resumed and support urgent international efforts towards a sustainable ceasefire. This cannot be one-sided. Hamas must release all hostages, stop using Palestinian civilians as human shields, and lay down its arms.

An unconditional ceasefire rewards Hamas. Everyone wants a ceasefire, but it has to be more than just giving Hamas more time to rebuild their attack capability.

There is no role for Hamas in the future governance of Gaza.

Absolutely.

We support Palestinians’ right to self-determination. We oppose the forcible displacement of Palestinians from Gaza, the re-occupation of Gaza, any reduction in territory, and any use of siege or blockade. We emphasize that Gaza must no longer be used as a platform for terrorism. We reaffirm that settlements are illegal under international law. Settlements and settler violence are serious obstacles to a negotiated two-state solution.

I also don’t like the settlements. I would happily trade the settlements for peace.

We recommit ourselves to working with partners toward a just and enduring peace in the form of a two-state solution, where Israelis and Palestinians can live securely within internationally recognised borders. 

The challenge is that only around 10% of Palestinians support a two-state solution.