Comment By UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk On Full-Scale Israeli Military Takeover In Gaza
The Israeli Government's plan for a complete military takeover of the occupied Gaza strip must be immediately halted. It runs contrary to the ruling of the International Court of Justice that Israel must bring its occupation to an end as soon as possible, to the realisation of the agreed two-State solution and to the right of Palestinians to self-determination.
On all evidence to date, this further escalation will result in more massive forced displacement, more killing, more unbearable suffering, senseless destruction and atrocity crimes.
The war in Gaza must end now. And Israelis and Palestinians must be allowed to live side by side in peace.
Instead of intensifying this war, the Israeli Government should put all its efforts into saving the lives of Gaza's civilians by allowing the full, unfettered flow of humanitarian aid. The hostages must be immediately and unconditionally released by Palestinian armed groups. Palestinians arbitrarily detained by Israel must also be immediately and unconditionally released.
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Otago Daily Times
2 minutes ago
- Otago Daily Times
Australia to recognise Palestinian state
Australia will formally recognise a Palestinian state in a historic diplomatic shift that aims to "break the cycle of violence" in the Middle East. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced Australia will join allies such as France, the UK and Canada and recognise Palestinian statehood at the United Nations General Assembly meeting in September. "Australia will recognise the right of the Palestinian people to a state of their own, predicated on the commitments Australia has received from the Palestinian Authority," the prime minister told reporters in Canberra on Monday. "A two-state solution is humanity's best hope to break the cycle of violence in the Middle East and to bring an end to the conflict, suffering and starvation in Gaza." The prime minister said Palestinian recognition was part of international efforts to resolve the conflict in the Middle East. "This is a practical contribution towards building momentum. This is not Australia acting alone," he said. "An end (to the conflict) can only be secured when both Israelis and Palestinians can live in peace and security." Any recognition would need to guarantee that the designated terror group Hamas, which de facto governs Gaza, played no role in its future government, the prime minister said. Mr Albanese also revealed he spoke on Thursday to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, saying the situation in Gaza had gone "beyond the world's worst fears" and urged for a political solution to the conflict. Ahead of the announcement, Mr Netanyahu said the stances taken by Australia and other nations on Palestine were "shameful" and warned it would not create peace in the Middle East. Foreign Minister Penny Wong confirmed she spoke with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio about Australia's intention to recognise Palestine before the decision was formally announced. The federal government has been under increasing pressure to do more in relation to the Middle East, after images of emaciated children poured out of the Gaza Strip. At least 90,000 protesters marched across the Sydney Harbour Bridge in early August, alongside thousands more in other Australian capitals, urging the government to sanction Israel. The prime minister said the international community had to act. "This is about much more than drawing a line on a map. This is about delivering a lifeline to the people of Gaza," he said. "The toll of the status quo is growing by the day, and it can be measured in innocent lives. The world cannot wait for success to be guaranteed." But Palestinian recognition could be used as a "veneer" that allows Israel to "continue brutalising Palestinians with no consequences", Australia Palestine Advocacy Network's president Nasser Mashni warned. The Palestine Action Group said the move by the government was only symbolic and would not address issues on the ground in Gaza. "Recognition without sanctions is an empty gesture. It will not stop the bombs, the siege, or the starvation. It will not save lives," a spokesman said. Opposition defence spokesman Angus Taylor said the recognition was premature. "This is a reward to Hamas for what they started on October 7 … if you start going down this path, I think Hamas will be very pleased with their work, and that's exactly the opposite of what we want to see," he told Sky News. Greens senator David Shoebridge said the recognition was overdue, but should also include sanctions on Israel. The crisis in Gaza began when Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, killing 1200 people and taking about 250 more hostage. Israel's response has since killed more than 61,000 people, according to Gaza's health authorities, and UN sources project more than two million people are facing high levels of acute food insecurity. Israel has denied that the population is suffering or dying from starvation despite international human rights groups condemning its offensive.
Scoop
15 minutes ago
- Scoop
NZ Considering Recognition Of State Of Palestine
Rt Hon Winston Peters Minister of Foreign Affairs The Government will carefully weigh up its position over the next month on recognition of a state of Palestine, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. 'The humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza is rightly at the forefront of the global agenda,' Mr Peters says. 'New Zealand, as a long-standing supporter of the two-state solution and Palestinian self-determination, is an active participant in discussions about how to broker a ceasefire and a political settlement to enable Israelis and Palestinians to live peacefully side-by-side. While we are a long way away from the Middle East, we will continue to ensure our voice is heard.' Mr Peters took an oral item to Cabinet today about recognition of a state of Palestine, ahead of a formal consideration of the issue in September. 'Some of New Zealand's close partners have opted to recognise a Palestinian state, and some have not,' Mr Peters says. 'Ultimately, New Zealand has an independent foreign policy, and on this issue, we intend to weigh up the issue carefully and then act according to New Zealand's principles, values and national interest.' 'New Zealand has been clear for some time that our recognition of a Palestinian state is a matter of when, not if,' Mr Peters says. 'New Zealand has long asked whether the pre-requisites for a viable and legitimate Palestinian state – in security, political, diplomatic and economic terms – exist. Fundamentally, we will need to weigh up whether sufficient progress is being made against these benchmarks in order to warrant New Zealand recognising a Palestinian state at this juncture. 'New Zealand has been giving this issue careful, methodical and deliberate attention. We will be taking heed of the facts on the ground deteriorating rapidly, our close partners being divided on the issue of recognition, and a range of Arab states making clear Hamas must disarm and must have no future role in Palestinian governance. 'Cabinet will take a formal decision in September over whether New Zealand should recognise a state of Palestine at this juncture – and if so, when and how. 'This is not a straightforward, clear-cut issue,' Mr Peters says. 'There are a broad range of strongly held views within our Government, Parliament and indeed New Zealand society over the question of recognition of a Palestinian state. 'It is only right that this complicated issue be approached calmly, cautiously and judiciously. Over the next month, we look forward to canvassing this broad range of views before taking a proposal to Cabinet.' Mr Peters will travel to New York in late September for the United Nations Leaders' Week, where he will present the Government's approach to this issue.
1News
an hour ago
- 1News
Full video: Christopher Luxon speaks at post-Cabinet briefing
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is speaking from Parliament after his weekly meeting with Cabinet. Last week was a busy one in politics, with road-user charges foreshadowed for all light vehicles to replace petrol tax and criticism of the Government over unemployment figures. This afternoon, Foreign Minister Winston Peters announced the Government was weighing up its position on the recognition of Palestine as a state. At the weekend, Luxon also met with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Queenstown. The two leaders spoke about "geopolitical tensions, issues of trade and economic relationships, and conflict in the world", Albanese said.
