Albanese on Monday levelled his strongest criticism yet at Israel over its actions in Gaza, branding the weeks-long blockade “an outrage” and Israel’s explanations “untenable”
But when asked on Wednesday whether Australia would join the joint position moving toward sanctions as called for by the Labor Friends of Palestine group, Albanese questioned what that would mean
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“We follow our own path and Australia determines our own foreign policy and we have been very consistent the whole way through
What people don’t say when they put forward ideas like this, is what that means” Albanese told a press conference in Brisbane “Unlike some of those countries, Australia doesn’t provide military assets to Israel or to that region So we are in different circumstances
But we make it clear as we have consistently: 1. we want to see a ceasefire 2. we want to see hostages released 3. we say Hamas has no role in the future 4. we want to see humanitarian aid delivered to people in Gaza
Asked whether Israel would agree to those actions without facing sanctions, Albanese responded:
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“What are the sanctions you are suggesting?” “That’s the point You are not sure And that’s not a criticism of you [the reporter] it’s just a reflection of the reality”
“Soundbites can make a difference What really makes a difference though … What we are interested in is substance” 1. “What we want is peace and security for both Israelis and Palestinians 2. We have made it clear that we support a two-state solution”
