Latest news with #AmirMaimon
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Tense moment ABC's Sarah Ferguson shuts down Israeli ambassador to Australia with cutting remark
has clashed with the Israeli Ambassador to Australia in a tense interview after Anthony Albanese declared Australia would recognise Palestine at the United Nations. Amir Maimon appeared on the public broadcaster's flagship 7.30 program during which he was grilled over the suffering of civilians in Gaza, refuting figures quoted by Ferguson, but being unable to provide his own. 'Do you accept that 100 children in Gaza have died of starvation in recent months? Do you accept those statistics?' Ferguson asked. Mr Maimon sidestepped answering the question. 'I'm following the statistics of the Israeli authorities. The statistics of COGAT,' he said. The Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) is an Israeli authority tasked with overseeing policy in the West Bank and logistical activities in the Gaza Strip. 'I'm aware there are other views, like in any other issue, but I'm following the statistics of COGAT and I just share with you some of the statistics.' Ferguson then interrupted him. 'Ambassador, you mentioned COGAT,' Ferguson pressed. 'Excuse me, how many children do they say have died from starvation in recent months?' The ambassador then replied: 'I don't have the figures'. 'Well you can't push back on these figures if you don't have any of you own.' The figures Ferguson quoted were from the Gaza Health Ministry. 'Well, I have no figures, but I can push back on the fact Israeli hostages that did not receive humanitarian aid since October 7th, nor a visit from any of the organizations that are responsible to assist those who are in need.' Israeli authorities have repeatedly denied Palestinians in Gaza are starving or that they have stemmed the flow of aid into the region. There have also been claims that Hamas had been looting the aid that did get through. Ferguson also pointed out that: 'Israeli defense officials speaking to the New York Times said clearly that the Israeli military had not found evidence that Hamas had looted aid from the convoys.' 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,' 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. 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. 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. 'What I want today is for Palestinians not to be slaughtered, what I want as an Australian is our government not to be complicit in that slaughter ... for Palestinians like myself to have the opportunity to enact our inalienable right to return,' he told reporters in Melbourne. 'What happens after that will be upon the Palestinian people. 'It's not my job, or Anthony Albanese's to determine how Palestinians might seek their self-determination.' The Australia/Israel and Jewish Affairs Council has condemned the government's decision. 'Recognition by Western countries telegraphs to Hamas that its rejection of multiple ceasefire proposals over the past 12 months were the correct decision,' the council said in a statement. Opposition Leader Sussan Ley and coalition foreign affairs spokeswoman Michaelia Cash have also taken issue with recognition. They warned it 'risks delivering Hamas one of its strategic objectives' and puts Australia at odds with the US, which is 'our most important ally and the most consequential player in the conflict in Gaza'. 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.
News.com.au
6 days ago
- Politics
- News.com.au
'How many children?' Israel's ambassador insists there is 'no starvation policy' in fiery interview
ABC host Sarah Ferguson has bluntly demanded Israel's ambassador to Australia disclose 'how many children' have died of starvation in Gaza as the Foreign Minister Penny Wong revealed she was 'haunted' by the images. Just hours after unleashing on Australia's decision to recognise the Palestinian state, Israeli ambassador Amir Maimon fronted up for an interview on 7:30. He was promptly taken to task over whether Israel was deliberately starving families in Gaza. 'Now, do you accept that Benjamin Netanyahu's refusal to listen to both friends and allies about the conduct of Israel's war in Gaza, the unending killing and the starvation of civilians, has led to this decision by Australia and like-minded countries to recognise Palestine?,'' host Sarah Ferguson asked. 'Well, the Israeli government is determined to accomplish all the objectives that were set by the government right after October 7,'' Mr Maimon replied. 'The dismantling of the Hamas military and political capabilities, the removal of the threat that Hamas is posing towards our citizens along the southern border, and the immediate release of our hostages. 'Unfortunately, so far the Hamas ... is refusing the ceasefire proposal.' But the ABC host insisted she wanted to 'bring you back to my question' which was - whether or not Israel accepted that the refusal of the Israelis to listen to concerns about the way it has conducted the war had led to this decision by Australia to recognise Palestine. 'Do you accept the withholding of food and the starvation of civilians first of all is a crime under international law?,'' Sarah Ferguson asked. 'The government of Israel is not - is not - there is no starvation policy,'' Mr Maimon replied. 'That's not to say that we believe the condition on the ground are ideal. 'There are real challenges in recent two weeks, we're not responsible for the distribution. It's also very important to recognise the role of the Hamas - the negative role of Hamas - in preventing aid to reach all those needed Palestinians.' 'Do you accept 100 children in Gaza have died of starvation in recent months? Do you accept those statistics?,'' Sarah Ferguson responded. 'Let me pose this question. How many children do they say have died from starvation in recent months?' 'Well, I have no figures, but I can push back on the Israeli hostages that did not receive humanitarian aid since October 7, nor a visit from the - none of the organisations that are responsible to assist those who are in need,'' Mr Maimon replied. 'I can talk about the starvation of David, who was just released, and I don't hear much, you know, talk about him and about the very poor condition that he was held in. 'I am not also hearing any reports about the fact that he was forced to dig his own grave, he's not the first one.' The ABC host replied that the conditions the hostages are being held in, in Gaza, were 'repulsive and rejected by all decent-minded humans around the world.' 'But we're here to talk about decisions by the Israeli government at the moment,'' she said. 'Let me ask you a final question - as an ambassador, you are obliged in your position to maintain your government's position. In our own heart, do you believe the killing and starving of civilians in Gaza should stop?' 'Once again, there is no policy of starvation,'' the ambassador said. 'I feel very sad for any loss of innocent life. I lost two members of my family on October 7. Every child matters. Whether it's Israeli or Palestinian. 'And it is very sad. It's a tragedy. But it's also important to remember that the Hamas bears the responsibility, the Hamas attacked Israel on October 7. 'It's a war we didn't ask for, nor we started. It's a war we want to end. 'But we'll end it only when our security will be granted, when the hostages will be back, and when the Hamas will not play any role in the Gaza Strip. 'I'm a father, a grandparent, exactly as I'm moved by terrible photos of David, and moving photos of Palestinian children and others,'' he said. 'May I offer my condolences, the condolences of the program for the condolences of the program for the loss you suffered. Thank you for joining us, ambassador,'' Ferguson replied. Earlier, Foreign Minister Penny Wong has declared she was 'haunted' by the images of starving children in Gaza as she outlined the reasons for Australia's decision to officially recognise the Palestinian state. Despite international controversy over some of the images of starving children in Gaza, with Israel insisting some of the children have underlying health conditions, Senator Wong said. 'We all are haunted by the images that we have seen,'' Senator Wong told 7:30. 'Both of the horrors of October 7, and by what has occurred since, the deprivation, the deaths of so many innocent people and we are compelled to act by the circumstances. 'The world watched in horror the attacks by Hamas on October 7. 'And the world has watched in horror since as tens of thousands of Palestinian civilians are killed, thousands starving. 'The faces of children we cannot forget. 'Australians, people around the world, have been haunted by the images.'
ABC News
6 days ago
- Politics
- ABC News
Israel's ambassador to Australia Amir Maimon and President Isaac Herzog deride Australia's support for Palestinian state
Israel's ambassador to Australia Amir Maimon says the recognition of a Palestinian state will do nothing to end the war in Gaza. Ambassador Maimon also denied that Israel has a policy of starvation in Gaza during an appearance on 7.30, where Foreign Minister Penny Wong, said the action undertaken by the Australian government was in part spurred on by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's decision to extend his nation's offensive. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese had earlier on Monday announced that Australia would join other nations at the United Nations General Assembly in September in recognising Palestinian statehood. However Ambassador Maimon said that decision would change nothing. "I would like to say a few words about the recognition of Australia — first of all, it's important to emphasise we reject the recognition, unilateral recognition," he told 7.30. "It will not change anything on the ground, it will not bring a ceasefire, it will not bring the two parties closer. "The only solution, the only way out is if the two parties will sit down and will negotiate directly and bilaterally. "This is something that needs to be understood." The comments were echoed in a statement sent to 7.30 from the office of Israeli President Isaac Herzog, who attacked the Australian announcement as a reward for Hamas committing terrorist acts in Israel on October 7, 2023. Mr Herzog made the remarks at the inauguration of the new Knesset Museum in Jerusalem, on the site of the Israeli Parliament from 1950-66. "Recognising a Palestinian state now is a grave mistake," Mr Herzog said. "I wonder what the Knesset members in those days for example, would have said about the Australian prime minister's intention to recognise a Palestinian state. "I have no doubt what Ben-Gurion and Begin, who were on opposite sides of the aisle, would have said together, and I too say here emphatically to the whole world: Israel has always strived, and will always strive, for peace with our neighbours including the Palestinians. "These declarations, by Australia and other countries, are a reward for terror, a prize for the enemies of freedom, liberty, and democracy. "This is a grave and dangerous mistake, which will not help a single Palestinian and sadly will not bring back a single hostage." As the war continues more attention has focused on the plight of civilians in Gaza, and amid the more than 60,000 deaths as reported by Palestinian Health authorities, images of starving and emaciated children have been beamed around the world. Israeli officials have frequently denied the nation is responsible for starvation in Gaza, amid allegations of human rights abuses. On 7.30, Ambassador Maimon joined them. "There is no starvation policy," he said before he blamed Hamas for the conditions being inflicted upon Palestinians. "There are real challenges, in recent two weeks, 18,000 trucks traversed the border crossing. "Israel is doing its utmost in facilitating the transfer, we're not responsible for the distribution. "It's also very important to recognise the role of the Hamas — the negative role that Hamas — in preventing aid to reach all those needed Palestinians." He was challenged on that point by 7.30 host Sarah Ferguson who asked him if he accepted that "100 children in Gaza have died of starvation in recent months? Do you accept those statistics?" The ambassador responded that he was "following the statistics of the Israeli authority". "I'm aware of other views," he said. "Let me pose this question. How many children do they say have died from starvation in recent months?" Ferguson asked "I don't have the figures," the ambassador said. "You can't push back on my figures if you don't have figures to offer yourself," Ferguson said. "Well, I have no figures, but I can push back on the Israeli hostages that did not receive humanitarian aid since October 7, nor a visit from one of the organisations that are responsible to assist those who are in need," Ambassador Maimon ended. Senator Wong said Israel's decision to extend the war in Gaza and occupy Gaza City was a cause of great concern for Australia. "We certainly are very concerned with this decision by the Israeli security cabinet and we disagree with it, fundamentally," Senator Wong told 7.30. "And I joined others in calling out our opposition to it, it will exacerbate a humanitarian disaster, it will escalate the conflict, it risks and endangers the lives of hostages. "What that did confirm for us ... and I think to the world, regrettably, is at the moment a ceasefire is not within reach." Senator Wong said Australia's decision was part of history. "Today is a historic day for Australia, it's the first time in 77 years we have recognised a Palestinian state," she said. "This is the best opportunity to isolate Hamas, to contribute towards a two-state solution, to break the cycle of violence, so that's why we have determined to recognise Palestine at the UN in September." Australia's conditions for the establishment of a Palestinian state include Hamas's disarmament and a demilitarised Palestinian state. Pressed on whether the Australian government would still recognise Palestine if those conditions were not met by September, Senator Wong said this was an "opportunity to contribute to peace". "What we will also do is work with the international community to hold the Palestinian Authority to its commitments," she added. "We do have unprecedented commitments from the Arab League, a group of Arab countries saying Hamas must lay down their arms, Hamas must relinquish their control on Gaza. "These are historic commitments and we need to take this opportunity to contribute to peace." Watch 7.30, Mondays to Thursdays 7:30pm on ABC iview and ABC TV Do you know more about this story? Get in touch with 7.30 here.
The Australian
7 days ago
- Politics
- The Australian
Albanese says Australia will recognise a Palestinian state in September
Israel has accused Anthony Albanese of 'rewarding' Hamas after the Prime Minister vowed to recognise a Palestinian state. Following weeks of foreshadowing, Mr Albanese on Monday said Australia would formally recognise Palestine at the UN General Assembly next month. The move follows similar pledges from France, the UK and Canada. Like the leaders of those countries, Mr Albanese condemned Hamas and said it must not have a role in Palestine's future. But Israel's envoy in Canberra said Mr Albanese's announcement had hindered the cause of peace, not helped it. 'Peace is built by ending terror, not rewarding it,' Ambassador Amir Maimon said in a statement. 'By recognising a Palestinian state while Hamas continues to kill, kidnap, and reject peace, Australia undermines Israel's security, derails hostage negotiations, and hands a victory to those who oppose coexistence.' Mr Maimon said Mr Albanese had 'abandoned' conditions he himself set for recognition. 'He emphasised that these steps were necessary before recognition could occur. 'Only days ago, Prime Minister Albanese set clear conditions for recognising a Palestinian state, renouncing violence, freeing hostages, and establishing credible, accountable governance,' Mr Maimon said. 'He emphasised that these steps were necessary before recognition could occur. 'Today, however, the Australian Government has abandoned those conditions and proceeded with recognition for symbolic reasons rather than genuine progress toward peace.' Israeli Ambassador to Australia Amir Maimon says Australia is 'rewarding' Hamas. Picture: Martin Ollman / NewsWire He also said the 'decision will not change the reality on the ground'. 'Peace is not achieved through declarations; it is achieved when those who have chosen terror abandon it and when violence and incitement end,' Mr Maimon said. 'Rewarding those who use terror as a political tool sends the dangerous message that violence brings political gains. 'By recognising a Palestinian state now, Australia elevates the position of Hamas, a group it acknowledges as a terrorist organisation, while weakening the cause of those working to end violence and achieve genuine, lasting peace.' Hamas, which runs Gaza, sparked the war in the Palestinian territory with its October 7 attacks on Israel in 2023. Militants killed more than 1200 in the shock assault, slaughtering entire families. They committed horrific acts of sexual violence and took hundreds hostage as they retreated into Gaza. The bloodshed was celebrated by perpetrators and sympathisers online. Israel's furious response has severely weakened Hamas, but also killed tens of thousands of civilians in the process. The enormous civilian death toll and climbing rates of starvation, due to Israel's chokehold on aid, prompted the global push for Palestinian statehood. 'Commitments' Mr Albanese announced his decision after getting the greenlight from Cabinet. Speaking to reporters from the prime ministerial courtyard, he said he secured 'commitments' from the Palestinian Authority (PA). The PA, which administers the West Bank, is routinely criticised for its corruption, ineffectiveness and lack of elections. The last presidential vote was in 2005. 'Today, I can confirm that at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly in September, Australia will recognise the state of Palestine,' Mr Albanese said. '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. 'We will work with the international community to make this right a reality.' He listed four commitments secured from PA President Mahmoud Abbas. Among them was a guarantee that Hamas would have no role in a Palestinian state. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says Australia will recognise Palestine at the UN General Assembly in September. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman 'Our government has made it clear that there can be no role for the terrorists of Hamas in any future Palestinian state,' he said. 'This is one of the commitments Australia has sought and received from President Abbas and the Palestinian Authority.' He said Mr Abbas also 'reaffirmed' the PA 'recognises Israel's right to exist in peace and security' and 'committed to demilitarise and to hold general elections'. The fourth commitment, in part, was a pledge to end payments to the families of martyrs — Palestinians who have been killed while carrying out, or attempting, attacks on Israel. 'It has pledged to abolish the system of payments to the families of prisoners and martyrs, and promised broader reform of governance, financial transparency in the education system, including international oversight to guard against the incitement of violence and hatred,' Mr Albanese said. 'These detailed and significant commitments have been given even greater weight by the Arab League's unprecedented demand for Hamas to end its ruling government and surrender its weapons to the Palestinian Authority. 'This is an opportunity to deliver self-determination for the people of Palestine in a way that isolates Hamas, disarms it and drives it out of the region once and for all.' 'Humanity's best hope' Mr Albanese said he arrived at the decision after speaking with other world leaders, including UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron. Mr Macron was the first major Western leader to vow to recognise Palestine at the upcoming UNGA. Sir Keir followed suit amid outrage over rising starvation in Gaza. Mr Albanese said the two-state solution was '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 international community's vision for a just and lasting peace in the Middle East always encompassed two states living side-by-side with internationally recognised borders, a state of Israel and a state of Palestine with security for the people of both nations,' he said. Foreign Minister Penny Wong says Australia makes 'sovereign decisions'. Picture: Martin Ollman / NewsWire Recognising Palestine goes against the wishes of the Trump administration, which has argued doing so would benefit Hamas. Earlier on Monday, Foreign Minister Penny Wong spoke with US counterpart Marco Rubio. A readout put out by the US Embassy said they discussed 'issues in the Indo-Pacific and the Middle East, along with global efforts to combat antisemitism'. Senator Wong, speaking alongside Mr Albanese, confirmed she informed Mr Rubio 'as a matter of diplomatic courtesy'. Asked if she was concerned Monday's announcement would negatively impact the Australia's relationship with the US, Senator Wong said the Albanese government did not represent Washington. 'We speak for Australia,' she said. 'We make our sovereign decisions.' New Zealand, where Mr Albanese spent the weekend, has said it too is considering its position on Palestinian statehood. 'Serious concerns' While Mr Albanese's announcement may be welcome by some like-minded governments abroad, at home it has not gone down well with the opposition. In its response, the Coalition echoed both the positions of Israel and the US, stressing that the major foreign policy position was unilateral and not made with its support. It also said the move 'puts Australia at odds with the United States of America, our most important ally, and the most consequential player in the conflict in Gaza'. 'The United States will have an essential role to play in brokering a viable peace process and establishing a sustainable Palestinian state,' Sussan Ley said in a statement. 'It is critical to note that the US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said that decisions to recognise a Palestinian state ahead of a proper peace process scuttled ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas.' Opposition Leader Sussan Ley says she has 'serious concerns'. Picture: Martin Ollman / NewsWire The Opposition Leader also accused the Albanese government of breaking with a 'bipartisan position' that 'Palestinian statehood should come at the end of the peace negotiation process, not at the start or during it'. 'Until today it was a bipartisan position that there should be no recognition of a Palestinian state with Hamas still in control of Gaza,' she said. 'Australians all want the war in Gaza to end. Ending this war is the only way to save lives and safeguard a two-state solution. 'The clear advice of our most important ally is this decision will not expedite that outcome. 'As it stands today the decision by the Albanese Government does not appear to make the world a safer place, expedite the end of the conflict, deliver a two-state solution, see the free flow of aid, support the release of hostages or put an end to the terrorist group Hamas.' Read related topics: Anthony AlbaneseIsrael
SBS Australia
30-07-2025
- Politics
- SBS Australia
DFAT meets with Israel's ambassador after statements denying starvation in Gaza
Israel's Ambassador to Australia was called in for a meeting with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) following public statements by diplomats rejecting starvation and famine like conditions in the Gaza. A senior bureaucrat reiterated Australia's position on the situation to Israel's top diplomat Amir Maimon and deputy chief of mission Amir Meron during the meeting on Tuesday. A government source has confirmed to SBS News that the meeting took place, but said it's part of ongoing broader engagement with Israel's representatives in Canberra. Revelations of the meeting came on Wednesday, and that evening, the government and the Greens passed a motion critical of "Israel's aid blockade" in the senate. The motion labelled the action of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government, "which risks the risk of mass death from starvation in Gaza, and with millions of Palestinians facing catastrophic hunger", as a "breach of international law." The wording, moved by Greens senator Nick McKim, was amended by Labor to remove a reference to placing "further economic measures" on Israel, but called on the government to "continue intensifying" its diplomatic efforts to "pressure the Israeli government to open all border crossings and allow the unimpeded flow of humanitarian aid". The motion passed without a formal vote with the absolute majority of Labor and Greens senators, but Opposition senator Sarah Henderson requested her opposition to the motion be recorded. The UN says it has operated as effectively as possible under severe restrictions imposed by Israel. After images of starving Palestinians alarmed the world in recent weeks, Israel announced on Sunday a halt in military operations for 10 hours a day in parts of Gaza and new aid corridors. Israel's rejection of starvation in Gaza 'beyond comprehension', PM says DFAT summoned the ambassador and his deputy on the same day Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described Israeli claims there is no starvation in Gaza as "beyond comprehension", his strongest rebuke yet to Netanyahu's handling of the war . Albanese made the remarks to Labor colleagues during Tuesday's party room meeting, in response to a backbench question pressing the party leadership on the pathway towards recognising Palestinian statehood . SBS News understands Albanese was responding to the remarks from Netanyahu and Meron. "The claims that there is no starvation in Gaza are beyond comprehension," Albanese said. "While there is a caveat on any health information which is provided by Hamas, it is Israel that has prevented journalists from getting in." Albanese reiterated his support for a two-state solution, referencing a quote from former South African president and anti-apartheid campaigner Nelson Mandela: "It always seems impossible until it's done." Albanese also told colleagues the actions of Hamas — the political and military group that rules Gaza — were "abominable" and remained condemned by parliament. Netanyahu said "there is no starvation in Gaza" in a post on X on Sunday. On Monday, the claim was repeated by Meron, who said: "Israel has never acted in a policy of starvation. There is no such policy … and there is no willingness of Israel that such a thing will happen in the Gaza Strip." "Some of those kids — that's real starvation stuff," Trump said. "We have to help on a humanitarian basis before we do anything. We have to get the kids fed." 'Incredibly distressed' Speaking after Tuesday's Coalition party room meeting, Opposition leader Sussan Ley said she was "incredibly distressed by the images that I've seen" in recent weeks, but when pressed by SBS News, she did not comment on whether it was evidence of starvation. "I'm pleased that aid is now starting to flow into Gaza, and Israel has changed some of its aid channel flows to achieve that," Ley said. "I really encourage everyone who sees the situation for the reality it is to remind others that Hamas in control of the hostages, could end the war tomorrow." The Hamas-Israel erupted war on 7 October 2023, when Hamas militants attacked communities across the border in southern Israel, killing about 1,200 people and taking another 251 hostage, according to Israeli tallies. It marked a significant escalation in a long-running conflict. Gaza's health ministry says 60,000 people have been killed during Israel's subsequent counteroffensive.
