Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Birmingham has firmly rejected suggestions that Israel is “collectively punishing” Palestinian civilians for the actions of Hamas terrorists. He emphasized the importance of not drawing moral equivalence between the two sides. Senator Birmingham stated that the attacks committed by Hamas against Israel specifically targeted innocent Jewish individuals, including babies, children, and the elderly.
He acknowledged the tragic loss of human life on both sides but argued that Israel has the right to defend itself and disable Hamas as a terrorist threat. Senator Birmingham highlighted that Hamas has been operating freely in Gaza, engaging in terrorist activities for years, and currently holding over 200 Israeli hostages. He believes that peace negotiations cannot occur with terrorists and that Hamas must be removed for progress to be made.
Labor frontbenchers Ed Husic and Anne Aly previously expressed their view that Palestinians are being collectively punished, with homes, schools, and medical centers destroyed and a lack of essential resources. Senator Birmingham’s comments countered this narrative, stating that Israel’s supply of water to Gaza only makes up a small percentage and that Hamas has misappropriated fuel intended for the Palestinian population.
The spokesperson for the Israeli Defense Forces, Jonathan Concricus, also underscored that Hamas governs Gaza and that supplying sustenance to an enemy attacking them is absurd. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has unequivocally condemned Hamas’s attack on Israel and recognized Israel’s right to defend itself. He acknowledged the tragic consequences for both Israeli and Palestinian civilians and expressed his condolences for every life lost.
Overall, the content emphasizes Senator Birmingham’s rejection of the notion of collective punishment by Israel and highlights the need to differentiate between Hamas’s terrorist actions and Israel’s right to self-defense.