‘We have no time': Listen to the voices from Gaza send a message to Albanese
Three Gazans have spoken to this masthead since Prime Minister Anthony Albanese made the announcement, and each expressed their disappointment at how little impact recognition has on their lives.
It marks the first reactions to Albanese's historic decision from Gazans themselves, the people the move is professed to be helping, amid Israel's ongoing bombardment and reported starvation of the population there. The United Nations on Tuesday warned that starvation and malnutrition in Gaza were at the highest levels since the war began.
Dr Ahmed, who asked for his surname to be withheld because of fears he could be targeted by the Israeli military, said the decision represented only 'ink on paper'.
'Really, on the ground, we actually see no impact of this recognition except more killing, genocide and starvation,' he said.
'This recognition would remain ink on paper as long as the genocide doesn't stop immediately.'
Dr Ahmed described what he, as a Gazan, believes governments such as Australia's should be doing for them: 'I recommend countries to recognise our rights as human beings before any political recognition. We have no time. Stop killing, stop starvation, stop genocide.'
Inas, a researcher in Khan Yunis, southern Gaza, said while recognition was a 'dream' for the people of Gaza, it was important to first address the violence and starvation they are facing.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sydney Morning Herald
29 minutes ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Albanese is ignoring Trump's demands – it will change our place in the world
When the world changes, it's folly not to change with it. Finding itself in an external environment that is in many respects full of shocks, the Albanese government is staking out a more independent – or at the very least, a less America-dependent – security and diplomatic stance for Australia. As is its way, rather than galloping in this direction, the government is crab walking. Anthony Albanese goes out of his way not to make a big deal of it and never wants to look like he's undermining Donald Trump. He continues to send the hefty cheques to America to keep AUKUS alive and has said several times this week that Trump is an enduring 'advocate for peace in the Middle East', which is what the US president likes to hear. But the signs of the shift are mounting. The AUKUS agreement was conceived chiefly to thwart China's territorial and defence ambitions in our larger region. Knowing that the future of AUKUS is being reconsidered by the Trump administration and that Trump is capricious and often punitive in the way he applies tariffs against those who don't dance to his tune, Australia under Albanese is nevertheless steadfastly building on a more accommodating approach towards China. The prime minister's reasoning is simple: China underpins our economy and it pays not to overtly antagonise it. Meanwhile, America remains fixated on viewing China as its great economic competitor and geopolitical rival. Albanese's point-blank rejection of a series of direct and indirect demands from Trump's Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and US government factotums to almost double its defence spending to 3.5 per cent of GDP is perhaps the boldest stance he has taken as PM. Albanese's continued dismissals are truly getting up the US administration's nose; various underlings are now regularly briefing reporters against Australia. And this week Albanese and Foreign Minister Penny Wong foreshadowed the recognition of a Palestinian state, comprehensively at odds with the stance of the US, which is the Netanyahu government's chief military supplier and diplomatic enabler. These positions are not without risk, given how deeply enmeshed Australia has become in its alliance with America, and how long Australia has regarded Israel as a friend. But given the twin shocks of Trump's rapid transformation of the US government and Benjamin Netanyahu's military strategy in response to Hamas' diabolical attacks in 2023, which has failed to return all of the hostages, laid waste to Gaza, killed tens of thousands of civilians and led to widespread starvation, it's difficult to see how a prudent government could not have taken this course. Loading The adjustments taking place in our relationships are in line with broader public sentiment in Australia. Trump's Secretary of State Marco Rubio has dismissed Palestinian recognition by countries including Australia as meaningless and driven by domestic politics. In a sense, he is right. Recognition is a mostly symbolic tactic designed to impose diplomatic pressure on Israel. It might not work and probably won't while America continues to physically support Netanyahu's every action. But is Trump's foreign America First policy not also driven by his domestic political intentions? This week his vice president JD Vance said the US government would no longer send arms to Ukraine because Americans were 'sick' of their government doing so. Instead, the US will sell arms to European countries who can give them to Ukraine. Australia's strategic positions should not chop and change, but they should develop over time and reflect the general sympathies and inclinations of the bulk of its people. Because of our geographical isolation and colonial past, with a nation-state built on immigration, Australia is an outward-looking country. Most Australians see Trump for what he is: a great disruptor. Trump bases all his decisions on his own self-interest. And because he is the president and is dedicated to accruing as much personal power as possible, to the extent that he is now ignoring his own courts and militarising policing in cities that don't vote for him, those decisions and actions are expressed ultimately as being in America's own best interests.
The Age
29 minutes ago
- The Age
Albanese is ignoring Trump's demands – it will change our place in the world
When the world changes, it's folly not to change with it. Finding itself in an external environment that is in many respects full of shocks, the Albanese government is staking out a more independent – or at the very least, a less America-dependent – security and diplomatic stance for Australia. As is its way, rather than galloping in this direction, the government is crab walking. Anthony Albanese goes out of his way not to make a big deal of it and never wants to look like he's undermining Donald Trump. He continues to send the hefty cheques to America to keep AUKUS alive and has said several times this week that Trump is an enduring 'advocate for peace in the Middle East', which is what the US president likes to hear. But the signs of the shift are mounting. The AUKUS agreement was conceived chiefly to thwart China's territorial and defence ambitions in our larger region. Knowing that the future of AUKUS is being reconsidered by the Trump administration and that Trump is capricious and often punitive in the way he applies tariffs against those who don't dance to his tune, Australia under Albanese is nevertheless steadfastly building on a more accommodating approach towards China. The prime minister's reasoning is simple: China underpins our economy and it pays not to overtly antagonise it. Meanwhile, America remains fixated on viewing China as its great economic competitor and geopolitical rival. Albanese's point-blank rejection of a series of direct and indirect demands from Trump's Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and US government factotums to almost double its defence spending to 3.5 per cent of GDP is perhaps the boldest stance he has taken as PM. Albanese's continued dismissals are truly getting up the US administration's nose; various underlings are now regularly briefing reporters against Australia. And this week Albanese and Foreign Minister Penny Wong foreshadowed the recognition of a Palestinian state, comprehensively at odds with the stance of the US, which is the Netanyahu government's chief military supplier and diplomatic enabler. These positions are not without risk, given how deeply enmeshed Australia has become in its alliance with America, and how long Australia has regarded Israel as a friend. But given the twin shocks of Trump's rapid transformation of the US government and Benjamin Netanyahu's military strategy in response to Hamas' diabolical attacks in 2023, which has failed to return all of the hostages, laid waste to Gaza, killed tens of thousands of civilians and led to widespread starvation, it's difficult to see how a prudent government could not have taken this course. Loading The adjustments taking place in our relationships are in line with broader public sentiment in Australia. Trump's Secretary of State Marco Rubio has dismissed Palestinian recognition by countries including Australia as meaningless and driven by domestic politics. In a sense, he is right. Recognition is a mostly symbolic tactic designed to impose diplomatic pressure on Israel. It might not work and probably won't while America continues to physically support Netanyahu's every action. But is Trump's foreign America First policy not also driven by his domestic political intentions? This week his vice president JD Vance said the US government would no longer send arms to Ukraine because Americans were 'sick' of their government doing so. Instead, the US will sell arms to European countries who can give them to Ukraine. Australia's strategic positions should not chop and change, but they should develop over time and reflect the general sympathies and inclinations of the bulk of its people. Because of our geographical isolation and colonial past, with a nation-state built on immigration, Australia is an outward-looking country. Most Australians see Trump for what he is: a great disruptor. Trump bases all his decisions on his own self-interest. And because he is the president and is dedicated to accruing as much personal power as possible, to the extent that he is now ignoring his own courts and militarising policing in cities that don't vote for him, those decisions and actions are expressed ultimately as being in America's own best interests.
The Advertiser
44 minutes ago
- The Advertiser
Ex-Labor senator calls for tougher sanctions on Israel
Australia is being urged to provide further support to Palestine as Labor faces grassroots pressure over the war in Gaza. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has confirmed Australia will recognise Palestinian statehood at the UN in September, joining more than 140 member states. The move follows similar commitments from countries such as the UK, France, and Canada. But it has failed to quieten calls for further action ahead of a national day of protest on August 24. Former Labor senator and left-faction heavyweight Doug Cameron said the government should do all it can to support a Palestinian state, including reconstruction efforts when the conflict ends. "We should not treat Palestine any differently to any other recognised state in the world, and there should be an embassy," he told AAP. "If the Israeli government continues to kill innocent Palestinians, Labor has got no choice but to implement stronger and effective sanctions against a government that's committing genocide." Israel rejects that its actions in Gaza amount to genocide. The latest outbreak of war in Gaza began when Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, killing 1200 people and taking about 250 hostage. Israel's military response has since killed more than 61,000 people, according to Gaza health authorities. Former foreign affairs minister Bob Carr has called for sanctions against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He was among past and present Labor MPs who attended a pro-Palestine march across the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Hamas has welcomed the Albanese government's decision to recognise Palestine, saying it reflects "political courage". Mr Cameron said he did not give any credence to anything said by the designated terror group, which he said was guilty of war crimes and needed to be brought to justice by international courts. The response from Hamas contradicts the prime minister's claims the terrorist group would be opposed to the nation's recognition because it wanted Israel to be destroyed. Australia was also among more than 20 countries issuing a joint statement calling for urgent action by Israel to allow aid to enter Gaza. Israel denies it is responsible for the lack of food in the war zone, accusing Hamas of stealing aid shipments. The Albanese government's decision on Palestinian statehood marks a divergence from its closest security ally the US, which has opposed formal acknowledgement. Opposition Leader Sussan Ley has vowed to rip up Australia's recognition if elected, while maintaining such a decision should come at the end of a peace process. Australia is being urged to provide further support to Palestine as Labor faces grassroots pressure over the war in Gaza. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has confirmed Australia will recognise Palestinian statehood at the UN in September, joining more than 140 member states. The move follows similar commitments from countries such as the UK, France, and Canada. But it has failed to quieten calls for further action ahead of a national day of protest on August 24. Former Labor senator and left-faction heavyweight Doug Cameron said the government should do all it can to support a Palestinian state, including reconstruction efforts when the conflict ends. "We should not treat Palestine any differently to any other recognised state in the world, and there should be an embassy," he told AAP. "If the Israeli government continues to kill innocent Palestinians, Labor has got no choice but to implement stronger and effective sanctions against a government that's committing genocide." Israel rejects that its actions in Gaza amount to genocide. The latest outbreak of war in Gaza began when Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, killing 1200 people and taking about 250 hostage. Israel's military response has since killed more than 61,000 people, according to Gaza health authorities. Former foreign affairs minister Bob Carr has called for sanctions against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He was among past and present Labor MPs who attended a pro-Palestine march across the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Hamas has welcomed the Albanese government's decision to recognise Palestine, saying it reflects "political courage". Mr Cameron said he did not give any credence to anything said by the designated terror group, which he said was guilty of war crimes and needed to be brought to justice by international courts. The response from Hamas contradicts the prime minister's claims the terrorist group would be opposed to the nation's recognition because it wanted Israel to be destroyed. Australia was also among more than 20 countries issuing a joint statement calling for urgent action by Israel to allow aid to enter Gaza. Israel denies it is responsible for the lack of food in the war zone, accusing Hamas of stealing aid shipments. The Albanese government's decision on Palestinian statehood marks a divergence from its closest security ally the US, which has opposed formal acknowledgement. Opposition Leader Sussan Ley has vowed to rip up Australia's recognition if elected, while maintaining such a decision should come at the end of a peace process. Australia is being urged to provide further support to Palestine as Labor faces grassroots pressure over the war in Gaza. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has confirmed Australia will recognise Palestinian statehood at the UN in September, joining more than 140 member states. The move follows similar commitments from countries such as the UK, France, and Canada. But it has failed to quieten calls for further action ahead of a national day of protest on August 24. Former Labor senator and left-faction heavyweight Doug Cameron said the government should do all it can to support a Palestinian state, including reconstruction efforts when the conflict ends. "We should not treat Palestine any differently to any other recognised state in the world, and there should be an embassy," he told AAP. "If the Israeli government continues to kill innocent Palestinians, Labor has got no choice but to implement stronger and effective sanctions against a government that's committing genocide." Israel rejects that its actions in Gaza amount to genocide. The latest outbreak of war in Gaza began when Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, killing 1200 people and taking about 250 hostage. Israel's military response has since killed more than 61,000 people, according to Gaza health authorities. Former foreign affairs minister Bob Carr has called for sanctions against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He was among past and present Labor MPs who attended a pro-Palestine march across the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Hamas has welcomed the Albanese government's decision to recognise Palestine, saying it reflects "political courage". Mr Cameron said he did not give any credence to anything said by the designated terror group, which he said was guilty of war crimes and needed to be brought to justice by international courts. The response from Hamas contradicts the prime minister's claims the terrorist group would be opposed to the nation's recognition because it wanted Israel to be destroyed. Australia was also among more than 20 countries issuing a joint statement calling for urgent action by Israel to allow aid to enter Gaza. Israel denies it is responsible for the lack of food in the war zone, accusing Hamas of stealing aid shipments. The Albanese government's decision on Palestinian statehood marks a divergence from its closest security ally the US, which has opposed formal acknowledgement. Opposition Leader Sussan Ley has vowed to rip up Australia's recognition if elected, while maintaining such a decision should come at the end of a peace process. Australia is being urged to provide further support to Palestine as Labor faces grassroots pressure over the war in Gaza. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has confirmed Australia will recognise Palestinian statehood at the UN in September, joining more than 140 member states. The move follows similar commitments from countries such as the UK, France, and Canada. But it has failed to quieten calls for further action ahead of a national day of protest on August 24. Former Labor senator and left-faction heavyweight Doug Cameron said the government should do all it can to support a Palestinian state, including reconstruction efforts when the conflict ends. "We should not treat Palestine any differently to any other recognised state in the world, and there should be an embassy," he told AAP. "If the Israeli government continues to kill innocent Palestinians, Labor has got no choice but to implement stronger and effective sanctions against a government that's committing genocide." Israel rejects that its actions in Gaza amount to genocide. The latest outbreak of war in Gaza began when Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, killing 1200 people and taking about 250 hostage. Israel's military response has since killed more than 61,000 people, according to Gaza health authorities. Former foreign affairs minister Bob Carr has called for sanctions against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He was among past and present Labor MPs who attended a pro-Palestine march across the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Hamas has welcomed the Albanese government's decision to recognise Palestine, saying it reflects "political courage". Mr Cameron said he did not give any credence to anything said by the designated terror group, which he said was guilty of war crimes and needed to be brought to justice by international courts. The response from Hamas contradicts the prime minister's claims the terrorist group would be opposed to the nation's recognition because it wanted Israel to be destroyed. Australia was also among more than 20 countries issuing a joint statement calling for urgent action by Israel to allow aid to enter Gaza. Israel denies it is responsible for the lack of food in the war zone, accusing Hamas of stealing aid shipments. The Albanese government's decision on Palestinian statehood marks a divergence from its closest security ally the US, which has opposed formal acknowledgement. Opposition Leader Sussan Ley has vowed to rip up Australia's recognition if elected, while maintaining such a decision should come at the end of a peace process.
