Showing posts with label War on Gaza. Show all posts
Showing posts with label War on Gaza. Show all posts

Monday 26 February 2024

A little bit about the second set of International Court of Justice hearings in 2024 concerning 'The Question of Palestine'


Because The Question of Palestine, the nature of political and diplomatic processes undertaken to resolve this 76 year-old question — in order that Palestine is recognised under international law as a sovereign state whose citizens enjoy the full range of humanitarian and political rights and protections — will in large measure define the status and gravitas accorded to the United Nations going forward by nation states as the world moves further into an epoch of climatic, geo-political and social disruption, it does no harm to be watchful as events unfold. 

Additionally, mainstream media coverage has been rather limited in Australia concerning legal deliberations relating to Palestine since the International Court of Justice Order of 26 January 2024 and the Australian Government has been noticeable by its silence on the most recent hearings.

So here is a basic record of what occurred after the United Nation General Assembly's 12 page Request for an Advisory Opinion pursuant to General Assembly resolution 77/247 of 30 December 2022, with regard to Legal Consequences Arising From The Policies And Practices Of Israel In The Occupied Palestinian Territory, Including East Jerusalem, began six days of public hearings on Monday 19 February 2024, at 10 a.m. at the Peace Palace, with President Salam presiding.

The Court was asked to render an opinion on the following basis:

considering the rules and principles of international law, including the Charter of the United Nations, international humanitarian law, international human rights law, relevant resolutions of the Security Council, the General Assembly and the Human Rights Council, and the advisory opinion of the Court of 9 July 2004:

(a) What are the legal consequences arising from the ongoing violation by Israel of the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination, from its prolonged occupation, settlement and annexation of the Palestinian territory occupied since 1967, including measures aimed at altering the demographic composition, character and status of the Holy City of Jerusalem, and from its adoption of related discriminatory legislation and measures?

(b) How do the policies and practices of Israel referred to in paragraph 18 (a) above affect the legal status of the occupation, and what are the legal consequences that arise for all States and the United Nations from this status?” 


The public hearings......


DAY ONE

The State of #Palestine opens the public hearings in the advisory proceedings on the Legal Consequences arising from the Policies and Practices of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, before the #ICJ

 https://cdnapisec.kaltura.com/index.php/extwidget/preview/partner_id/2503451/uiconf_id/43914941/entry_id/1_q64rcbqd/embed/dynamic


DAY TWO

The #Netherlands#Bangladesh and #Belgium present their oral statements in the advisory proceedings on the Legal Consequences arising from the Policies and Practices of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem

https://cdnapisec.kaltura.com/index.php/extwidget/preview/partner_id/2503451/uiconf_id/43914941/entry_id/1_4366a9cv/embed/dynamic


#Belize#Bolivia #Brazil and #Chile present their oral statements in the advisory proceedings on the Legal Consequences arising from the Policies and Practices of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem

https://cdnapisec.kaltura.com/index.php/extwidget/preview/partner_id/2503451/uiconf_id/43914941/entry_id/1_2ya4lbdu/embed/dynamic

 

DAY THREE

#Colombia#Cuba#Egyptthe #UAE and #USA present their oral statements in the advisory proceedings on the Legal Consequences arising from the Policies and Practices of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem 

https://cdnapisec.kaltura.com/index.php/extwidget/preview/partner_id/2503451/uiconf_id/43914941/entry_id/1_79dssjrs/embed/dynamic


 #Russia#France#TheGambia#Guyana and #Hungary present their oral statements in the advisory proceedings on the Legal Consequences arising from the Policies and Practices of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem

https://cdnapisec.kaltura.com/index.php/extwidget/preview/partner_id/2503451/uiconf_id/43914941/entry_id/1_ryz6ss88/embed/dynamic


DAY FOUR

#China#Iran#Iraq#Ireland#Japan and #Jordan present their oral statements in the advisory proceedings on the Legal Consequences arising from the Policies and Practices of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem

https://cdnapisec.kaltura.com/index.php/extwidget/preview/partner_id/2503451/uiconf_id/43914941/entry_id/1_b46jqhoc/embed/dynamic


#Kuwait#Lebanon#Libya #Luxembourg#Malaysia and #Mauritius present their oral statements in the advisory proceedings on the Legal Consequences arising from the Policies and Practices of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem

https://cdnapisec.kaltura.com/index.php/extwidget/preview/partner_id/2503451/uiconf_id/43914941/entry_id/1_8wd5swem/embed/dynamic


 DAY FIVE

#Namibia#Norway#Oman#Pakistan#Indonesia and #Qatar present their oral statements in the advisory proceedings on the Legal Consequences arising from the Policies and Practices of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem

https://cdnapisec.kaltura.com/index.php/extwidget/preview/partner_id/2503451/uiconf_id/43914941/entry_id/1_1m0ok1bf/embed/dynamic


#UnitedKingdom#Slovenia#Sudan#Switzerland#Syria and #Tunisia present their oral statements in the advisory proceedings on the Legal Consequences arising from the Policies and Practices of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem

https://cdnapisec.kaltura.com/index.php/extwidget/preview/partner_id/2503451/uiconf_id/43914941/entry_id/1_vx79z7wp/embed/dynamic


DAY SIX

#Türkiye, #Zambia, #League of Arab States, #Organisation for Islamic Cooperation and #Africa Union present their oral statements in the advisory proceedings on the Legal Consequences arising from the Policies and Practices of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem

https://cdnapisec.kaltura.com/index.php/extwidget/preview/partner_id/2503451/uiconf_id/43914941/entry_id/1_vew5z58l/embed/dynamic


NOTE: Verbatim records of all oral proceedings can be found at: https://www.icj-cij.org/case/186/oral-proceedings


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Earlier, on 16 February 2024 in the matter of the Republic of South Africa v The State of Israel the International Court of Justice issued this media release in response to the situation in Rafah in the far south of the Gaza Strip near the border with Egypt:


Thursday 1 February 2024

In the global response to the War on Gaza words matter.....

 

Likud Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, posting in English via @netanyahu on 27 January 2024, a day after the International Court of Justice published its Order binding the State of Israel:


"Israel's commitment to international law is unwavering. Equally unwavering is our sacred commitment to continue to defend our country and defend our people.


Like every country, Israel has an inherent right to defend itself.


The vile attempt to deny Israel this fundamental right is blatant discrimination against the Jewish state, and it was justly rejected.


The charge of genocide leveled [sic] against Israel is not only false, it’s outrageous, and decent people everywhere should reject it."


The disconnect between those words, along with other recent statements made by the Likud Party leader, and the words found in the International Court of Justice Order of 26 January 2024 are being noticed.


 


CDU EXPERT: The ICJ’s order rebuts denials and is binding with its “Israel must”

 
 
Charles Darwin university
 
 


Hard facts, semantically clear landmark verdict

31 JANUARY, 2024


Who: Charles Darwin University forensic linguistics expert Dr Awni Etaywe is a lecturer in linguistics and a forensic linguistics researcher focusing on terrorism, incitement to hatred, radicalisation and genocide, and digital deviance. He is a former United Nations Expert on Mission and Observer of human rights violations in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with training on the law of armed conflict and the protection of civilians and children.


Topics:

  • Israel’s response to South Africa’s case and the International Court of Justice's order.

  • The International Court of Justice rebuts Israel’s denials and claims, and decides it is a plausible case of genocide.

  • The UCJ’s order is legally binding, and the Court sees that “Israel must” conform.

  • Predictably, language is a main part of evidence to decode a genocidal intent and determine a plausible case of genocide.

  • Violence in Gaza is a form of “genocidal moments” and placed within a broader settler-colonial context.

 

Quotes attributable to Dr Awni Etaywe:


“The Court issued its binding evidence-based order, using the 'Israel must' phrase where Israel not only 'must' 'take effective measures to prevent the destruction and ensure the preservation of evidence related to allegations…' but also 'must submit a report to the Court on all measures taken to give effect to this Order within one month, as from the date of this Order. The report so provided shall then be communicated to South Africa, which shall be given the opportunity to submit to the Court its comments thereon.'"


“The Court enacts tenor through high modality – 'must' – a linguistic means through which the Court expresses the highest level of intensity of obligation.”


“What are these must-take measures? The Court considers that:


  • “Israel must […] take all measures within its power to prevent the commission of […]: (a) killing members of the group; (b) causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group; (c) deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part; and (d) imposing measures intended to prevent births within the group.

  • “…Israel must ensure with immediate effect that its military forces do not commit any of the above-described acts.”

  • “…Israel must take immediate and effective measures to enable the provision of urgently needed basic services and humanitarian assistance to address the adverse conditions of life faced by Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.”

“As predicted, speech function and dehumanising language was under the microscope of the Court to establish evidence of encoded genocidal intent.


"Judge Nolte adds that '…certain statements by Israeli State officials, including members of its military, give rise to a real and imminent risk of irreparable prejudice to the rights of Palestinians under the Genocide Convention.' In response to this genocidal language, the Court orders Israel to do the following:


  • “…Israel must take all measures within its power to prevent and punish the direct and public incitement to commit genocide in relation to members of the Palestinian group in the Gaza Strip.”

“Netanyahu politically (again, not legally) labelled the ‘crime of crimes’ charge as 'outrageous', while Yoav Gallant countered by characterising South Africa’s case as 'antisemitic'."


"In the face of political dynamics and the framework of international law, nations worldwide are confronted with a critical choice.”     

ENDS                                           




Note

Judge Georg Nolte is a German jurist, former Professor of Public and International Law, a former member of the International Law Commission and a current Member of the International Court of Justice since 2021.


Sunday 28 January 2024

International Court of Justice has decided there is a prima facie case against Israel and a full trial will take place, with a provisional order now in place requiring the State of Israel to ensure with immediate effect that its military does not commit any acts of genocide

 

On 29 December 2023 the Republic of South Africa made an application to the International Court of Justice instituting proceedings in accordance with Articles 36 (1) and 40 of the Statute of the Court and Article 38 of the Rules of Court against the State of Israel. The Application included a request that the Court indicate provisional measures to protect the rights invoked (as found in the UN 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide) from imminent and irreparable loss.


The Court sat for two days, 11 & 12 January 2024, and both South Africa and Israel put their cases concerning the rights and responsibilities found in the Genocide Convention and, whether the actions of the Israeli Government since 7 October 2023 had caused acts of genocide against the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip, had established a credible risk of genocide or that Israel's actions did not in fact involve genocide.


The Court adjourned and deliberated for thirteen days, then delivered its findings and decision.


It couldn't be any clearer, the State of Israel is on notice and a full trial will take place.



International Court of Justice (The Hague), South Africa v Israel, Summary of the Order of 26 January 2024, (Provisional Measures), excerpt:


OPERATIVE CLAUSE (PARA. 86)


The full text of the operative clause of the Order reads as follows:

For these reasons,

THE COURT,

Indicates the following provisional measures:


(1) By fifteen votes to two,

The State of Israel shall, in accordance with its obligations under the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, in relation to Palestinians in Gaza, take all measures within its power to prevent the commission of all acts within the scope of Article II of this Convention, in particular:

(a) killing members of the group;

(b) causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group;

(c) deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part; and

(d) imposing measures intended to prevent births within the group;

IN FAVOUR: President Donoghue; Vice-President Gevorgian; Judges Tomka, Abraham, Bennouna, Yusuf, Xue, Bhandari, Robinson, Salam, Iwasawa, Nolte, Charlesworth, Brant; Judge ad hoc Moseneke;

AGAINST: Judge Sebutinde [representing the Republic of Uganda]; Judge ad hoc Barak [representing the State of Israel];


(2) By fifteen votes to two,

The State of Israel shall ensure with immediate effect that its military does not commit any acts described in point 1 above;

IN FAVOUR: President Donoghue; Vice-President Gevorgian; Judges Tomka, Abraham, Bennouna, Yusuf, Xue, Bhandari, Robinson, Salam, Iwasawa, Nolte, Charlesworth, Brant; Judge ad hoc Moseneke;

AGAINST: Judge Sebutinde; Judge ad hoc Barak;


(3) By sixteen votes to one,

The State of Israel shall take all measures within its power to prevent and punish the direct and public incitement to commit genocide in relation to members of the Palestinian group in the Gaza Strip;

IN FAVOUR: President Donoghue; Vice-President Gevorgian; Judges Tomka, Abraham, Bennouna, Yusuf, Xue, Bhandari, Robinson, Salam, Iwasawa, Nolte, Charlesworth, Brant; Judges ad hoc Barak, Moseneke;

AGAINST: Judge Sebutinde;


(4) By sixteen votes to one,

The State of Israel shall take immediate and effective measures to enable the provision of urgently needed basic services and humanitarian assistance to address the adverse conditions of life faced by Palestinians in the Gaza Strip;

IN FAVOUR: President Donoghue; Vice-President Gevorgian; Judges Tomka, Abraham, Bennouna, Yusuf, Xue, Bhandari, Robinson, Salam, Iwasawa, Nolte, Charlesworth, Brant; Judges ad hoc Barak, Moseneke;

AGAINST: Judge Sebutinde;


(5) By fifteen votes to two,

The State of Israel shall take effective measures to prevent the destruction and ensure the preservation of evidence related to allegations of acts within the scope of Article II and Article III of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide against members of the Palestinian group in the Gaza Strip;

IN FAVOUR: President Donoghue; Vice-President Gevorgian; Judges Tomka, Abraham, Bennouna, Yusuf, Xue, Bhandari, Robinson, Salam, Iwasawa, Nolte, Charlesworth, Brant; Judge ad hoc Moseneke;

AGAINST: Judge Sebutinde; Judge ad hoc Barak;


(6) By fifteen votes to two,

The State of Israel shall submit a report to the Court on all measures taken to give effect to this Order within one month as from the date of this Order.

IN FAVOUR: President Donoghue; Vice-President Gevorgian; Judges Tomka, Abraham, Bennouna, Yusuf, Xue, Bhandari, Robinson, Salam, Iwasawa, Nolte, Charlesworth, Brant; Judge ad hoc Moseneke;

AGAINST: Judge Sebutinde; Judge ad hoc Barak.”

*

Judge XUE appends a declaration to the Order of the Court; Judge SEBUTINDE appends a dissenting opinion to the Order of the Court; Judges BHANDARI and NOLTE append declarations to the Order of the Court; Judge ad hoc BARAK appends a separate opinion to the Order of the Court.

___________


In South Africa v Israel the full Summary of the Order of 26 January 2024 can be read and downloaded at:

https://www.icj-cij.org/sites/default/files/case-related/192/192-20240126-sum-01-00-en.pdf.


The full APPLICATION OF THE CONVENTION ON THE PREVENTION AND PUNISHMENT OF THE CRIME OF GENOCIDE IN THE GAZA STRIP (SOUTH AFRICA v. ISRAEL) - 26 January 2024 Order can be read and downloaded at:

https://www.icj-cij.org/sites/default/files/case-related/192/192-20240126-ord-01-00-en.pdf


Monday 22 January 2024

In which Australian Jewish Association blatantly misrepresents the history of the Middle East and the Occupied Palestinian Territories. At the same time broadly characterizing readers of the Byron Echo as "left-leaning activist types".

 

"Hamas is responsible for 100% of all Gazan deaths" [Australian Jewish Association, 17 January 2024]



On 17 January 2024 on Page 5 of the Byron Echo, along with two local news articles - "McLeods Shoot tourist accom slated" and "Olgivie reflects on 35 years in the yoga biz" there was a single advertisement.


Nothing unusual in this independent newspaper's page layout.


However, the advertising slot did not contain the expected information concerning a bazzar, market, op shop, council notice or similar.


It contained an astonishing piece of political propaganda created by the Australian Jewish Association, which blatantly misrepresented the history of the Middle East and the Occupied Palestinian Territories.


With the exception of part of the one-sentence fifth paragraph, the distortions of fact it contained were so egregious that it took this writer's breath away.







IMAGE: The Byron Shire Echo, aka Byron Echo or Echo, 17.01.24, p.5 Click on image to enlarge



On the same day the Australian Jewish Association posted/tweeted this message on X formerly Twitter along with a copy of the advertisement:



It's important that the Jewish community and Israel are understood across Australia.


Byron Bay is known as a hotspot for left-leaning activist types.


The local paper, the Byron Shire Echo is widely read and often contains anti-Israel content.


AJA decided to take out a half page ad and share some facts.


The ad was generously facilitated by Michael Burd.


What do you think of the AJA ad? [my yellow highlighting]


[SEE: https://twitter.com/AustralianJA/status/1747433711057125551]


NOTE: 

  • Michael Burd on the subject of Michael Burd:

https://www.jwire.com.au/nothing-left-has-nothing-left/

  • United Nations Resolutions on the Question of Palestine -1946 to 2023

https://www.un.org/unispal/data-collection/general-assembly/?wpv_view_count=237041&wpv_paged=1

1.Oslo Accord 1993 - signed by Israeli Government & Palestinian Liberation Organisation (PLO)

2. Agreement on the Gaza Strip and the Jericho Area 1994 (Cairo Agreement) - signed by Israeli Government & PLO

3. Agreement on Preparatory Transfer of Powers and Responsibilities 1994 - signed by Israeli Government & PLO

4. Israeli-Palestinian Interim Agreement on the West Bank and the Gaza Strip 1995 (Oslo II) - signed by Israeli Government & PLO

5. Agreement on Temporary International Presence in the City of Hebron 1996 - signed by Israeli Government & PLO

6. Protocol Concerning the Redeployment in Hebron 1997 - signed by Israeli Government & PLO

7. Agreement on Temporary International Presence in the City of Hebron II 1997 - signed by Israeli Government & PLO

8. The Wye River Memorandum 1998 - signed by Israeli Government & PLO

9. Sharm el Sheikh Memorandum on Implementation Timeline of Outstanding Commitments of Agreements Signed and the Resumption of Permanent Status Negotiations 1999 - signed by Israeli Government & PLO

10. Protocol Concerning Safe Passage between the West Bank and the Gaza Strip 1999 - signed by Israeli Government & PLO

11. Camp David Summit 2000 - Israel & Palestine failed to reach an agreement 

12. The Disengagement Plan - General Outline 2004 - proposal by Israeli Government in which sovereignty over West Bank settlements is asserted and an intention to maintain a military presence, along with an assertion of authority over Gaza Strip airspace and coastal seas as well as an intention to ring Gaza's borders with security forces and police population movement.

13. Agreed Documents on Movement and Access from and to Gaza: Agreement on Movement and Access Agreed Principles for Rafah Crossing 2005 - Israeli Government & PLO agreement

14. Annapolis Conference Joint Understanding and Statements Joint Understanding on Negotiations 2007 - Israeli Government statement

15. Understanding Regarding Ceasefire in Gaza Strip 2012 - not attributed

16. Egyptian Initiative 2014 regarding ceasefire in Gaza Strip - not accepted by all parties. However an amended ceasefire agreement came into effect at 7pm Cairo time on 26 August 2014. In May 2021, the Israeli police raided Al Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, triggering an 11 day armed conflict between Israel and Hamas. This included Israeli airstrikes on Gaza. Egypt again brokered a ceasefire which came into effect on 21 May 2021.


Friday 12 January 2024

International Court of Justice currently hearing South Africa's application for a provisional finding that the Government of Israel was and is committing acts of genocide against the Palestinian people within the Gaza Strip

 

IMAGE: ABC News, 12 January 2024

 






On Thursday 11 January 2024, at 8pm Australian Eastern Daylight Saving Time, the International Court of Justice began the first of two public hearings on the request for the indication of provisional measures submitted by South Africa in the case South Africa v. Israel.


The first hearing day of the full Court (comprising fifteen sitting judges & two ad hoc judges representing South Africa & Israel) was given over entirely to South Africa's evidence and argument.


What followed was almost three hours of detailed, frequently distressing and often very shocking evidence of the Government of Israel and its defence forces' strong desire and deliberate sustained intent to destroy the Palestinian people within the occupied Gaza Strip. Thus breaching the international universal prohibitions against genocide as found in the United Nations Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide


This is one video submitted in evidence:

I'm coming to occupy Gaza,

and beat Hezbolla.

I stick by one mitzvah,

to wipe off the seed of Amalek.

To wipe off the seed of Amalek.

{chorus}

I left home behind me,

won't come back until victory.

We know our slogan,

there are no uninvolved civilians.

There are no uninvolved civilians.

{chorus}

[Translation, Middle East Monitor, Instagram, 7 December 2023]


The entire hearing of 11 January can be viewed at:

https://webtv.un.org/en/asset/k11/k11gf661b3 and

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2vQ7suQWGg.


Today's public hearing, again beginning at 8pm Australian Eastern Daylight Saving Time, will see Israel put its rebuttal argument to the full Court.


This day's hearing can be viewed at:

https://webtv.un.org/en/schedule/2024-01-12.


NOTE:

Pleadings, oral arguments and documents in South Africa v. Israel will not be published until the conclusion of the case.



Thursday 14 December 2023

Australia, New Zealand and Canada "support urgent international efforts towards a sustainable ceasefire" and "oppose the forcible displacement of Palestinians from Gaza, the re-occupation of Gaza, any reduction in territory, and any use of siege or blockade".

 

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


Joint statement

Wednesday 13 December 2023


The Hon Anthony Albanese MP

Prime Minister of Australia


Rt. Hon Justin Trudeau MP

Prime Minister of Canada


Rt. Hon Christopher Luxon MP

Prime Minister of 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.


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.


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.


We remain deeply concerned by the scale of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and ongoing risks to all Palestinian civilians. Safe and unimpeded humanitarian access must be increased and sustained.


The recent pause in hostilities allowed for the release of more than 100 hostages and supported an increase in humanitarian access to affected civilians. We acknowledge the persistent diplomatic efforts of the United States, Qatar, and Egypt to broker this pause, and we regret it could not be extended.


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.


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


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.


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.


We remain concerned about the impact of the conflict spilling across the region and urge all governments in the region to work towards containing the conflict. We call on the Houthis to cease immediately their attacks on international shipping and crew operating in the Red Sea.


We condemn rising antisemitism, Islamophobia, and anti-Arab sentiment in our countries and around the world and remain firmly committed to combatting prejudice, hatred, and violent extremism.


SEE: https://www.pm.gov.au/media/joint-statement-prime-ministers-australia-canada-and-new-zealand 


Rachel Withers observed in The Monthly, 13 December 2023, excerpt:


It was little surprise to see members of the opposition immediately seek to politicise this new action from the Albanese government. After all, they have politicised every inch of this conflict, every slight tweak in Labor’s position, every expression of sympathy for the Palestinian people. Today’s calls for a ceasefire are not particularly radical. The UN resolution calls for “all parties [to] comply with their obligations under international law”, and the vast majority of the world voted for it. Nevertheless, shadow home affairs minister James Paterson was quick out of the blocks, declaring the vote a “shameful abandonment of Israel & our US & UK allies” and “another display of weak leadership on national security”, arguing that the PM was “caving to domestic political pressure”. “The Albanese Government voted with the Islamic Republic of Iran, Russia, Syria and the Taliban on this motion,” added Liberal Senator Claire Chandler in reply, as if we didn’t also vote with New Zealand, Canada, France, India, Japan and a vast array of our allies.....


At 1:50:41 of this video of the resumption of the U.N. 10th Emergency Session of the General Assembly the representative for Australia speaks.



The final vote breakdown:

In Favour 153

Against 10

Abstentions 23

Click on image to enlarge