Albanese calls for ‘urgent ceasefire’ in Gaza alongside Canada and New Zealand

Australia has joined Canada and New Zealand to call for an “immediate” ceasefire in Gaza with the PM using his strongest language against ­Israel yet – a move Jewish leaders likened to emboldening terrorists.

Australia has joined Canada and New Zealand to call for an “urgent” and “immediate” ceasefire in Gaza with ­Anthony Albanese using his strongest language against ­Israel yet – a move Jewish leaders likened to emboldening terrorists.

Australia has consistently called for a humanitarian ceasefire as part of a two-state solution but yesterday, in a joint statement, the three leaders escalated their position saying the conflict is at risk of growing wider.

Jewish groups condemned the pointed statement – released on the eve of Labor’s state conference – that demanded Israel “listen” and stop the “catastrophic” suffering of Palestinian civilians while the Opposition accused Mr Albanese of prioritising “electoral politics”.

“The situation in Gaza is catastrophic. The human suffering is unacceptable. It cannot continue. Israel must listen to the concerns of the international community,” Christopher Luxon, Justin Trudeau and Mr Albanese said. “Palestinian civilians cannot be made to pay the price of defeating Hamas. It must end.”

The three nations said they stand behind the ceasefire deal outlined by US president Joe Biden and endorsed by the United Nations and were concerned about escalating tensions along the Blue Line, the border of Lebanon and Israel.

Australia has joined Canada and New Zealand to call for an “urgent ceasefire” in Gaza.

“We are gravely concerned about the prospect of further escalation across the region,“ the trio said.

Jewish leaders were struggling to respond to the statement that dropped late on Friday before the religious period of Shabbat began but the Zionist Federation of Australia accused the three leaders of emboldening Hamas.

“The government cannot have it both ways. It cannot simultaneously call for the dismantling of Hamas and to demand that Israel unilaterally end the war in Gaza – thereby leaving Hamas in power,“ president Jeremy Leibler said.

“The war would end tomorrow with the release of the hostages and the surrender of Hamas. Applying pressure on Israel to end the war unilaterally only serves to embolden Hamas and prolong the war.”

Opposition home affairs spokesman James Paterson accused Labor of issuing the statement in a bid to quell internal Labor pressure for more action on Gaza.

“The Albanese government should also explain how they think Hamas’ rule in Gaza will be ended if their advice for an immediate ceasefire is followed,” he said.

A man carries children as people past damage following Israeli bombardment at al-Bureij refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip on July 23. Picture: AFP

“Insensitivity timed statements during Shabbat won’t end this conflict – the return of the hostages taken on October 7 will.”

It comes after the Albanese government placed sanctions on Israeli settler group Hilltop Youths over violence that included beatings, sexual assault and torture of Palestinians.

Labor left sources said the timing of the strengthened position on Gaza was ”opportune” for Mr Albanese who has been struggling with internal tensions over the conflict after Senator Fatima Payman quit the party.

He is set to appear at the NSW state conference today.

“It’s certainly a good sign that things are moving in a positive direction,” one source said. “The party is trying to manage the internal tensions this issue of Israel-Palestine is creating and they are hoping the message coming out of the conference would be much more amenable to those who … have been frustrated with their apparent inaction.”

Originally published as Albanese calls for ‘urgent ceasefire’ in Gaza alongside Canada and New Zealand