Statement: Australia fails to stand with moral majority
Statement:
AUSTRALIA FAILS TO STAND WITH MORAL MAJORITY
The General Delegation of Palestine to Australia, Aotearoa New Zealand and the Pacific welcomes the overwhelming support for United Nations General Assembly humanitarian Resolution L.25 on “protection of civilians and upholding legal and humanitarian obligations” calling for an “immediate, durable and sustained humanitarian truce leading to a cessation of hostilities” and demanding “continuous, sufficient and unhindered” provision of lifesaving humanitarian supplies and services to the Palestinian civilian population trapped in Gaza. The resolution passed with a final count of 121 votes in favor to 14 against, with 44 abstentions. This vote signals the commitment of a moral majority of the international community to uphold its obligations and to reject double-standards and politicisation of international law.
It is regrettable and deeply disappointing that Australia decided not to vote with the moral majority, and instead chose to abstain. The explanation provided by Australia for its vote claimed that the resolution was “incomplete” as it did not explicitly name or condemn Hamas. This justification has no merit without also calling for Israel to be condemned in the resolution, which Australia failed to do.
The General Delegation of Palestine calls on Australia to support calls for an immediate, durable and sustained humanitarian truce leading to a cessation of hostilities, and demands for immediate, continuous, sufficient and unhindered provision of essential goods and services to civilians throughout the Gaza Strip, based on Resolution L.25 and in accordance with international humanitarian law.
For more information, please contact the General Delegation of Palestine to Australia, Aotearoa New Zealand and the Pacific.