Australian politicians react to US President Donald Trump’s plan for Gaza

Australian political leaders including Anthony Albanese and Adam Bandt have responded to US President Donald Trump’s plan to “take over” the Gaza Strip.

Anthony Albanese says Australia’s position on Israel and Palestine “remains the same” despite President Donald Trump declaring Palestinians displaced from Gaza should be resettled elsewhere and musing about a US “takeover” of the territory.

The Prime Minister said he did not intend to give a “running commentary” on Mr Trump’s statements, refusing to answer if the President’s comments were a potential threat to establishing a lasting peace in the Middle East region.

Asked what he would do if Australia received a request from the US to support Mr Trump’s declarations and potential actions in Gaza, such as through the commitment of troops to the region or assistance with rebuilding the territory, Mr Albanese said no requests had been made.

Anthony Albanese says Australia’s position on Israel and Palestine “remains the same” despite President Donald Trump’s announcement over Gaza. Picture: NewsWire/Martin Ollman

“When it comes to our position, we have not received any request regarding the rebuilding of Gaza,” he said.

“What we have said though clearly is, we’ve supported a ceasefire, we’ve supported hostages being released, and we’ve supported aid getting into Gaza.

“There is a need to do that, and Australia is willing to assist getting aid into Gaza, to provide that support. We have done so, that is consistent with what Australian Governments have always done, which is to provide support.”

Mr Albanese was repeatedly asked for his view on Mr Trump’s comments, given the potential proposals could dramatically reshape the region and historically change the status of Israel and Palestine, but he insisted his role was only to give Australia’s position.

“I’ve said that ... we will be consistent, as we are, but I’ve also said that I’m not going to, as Australia’s Prime Minister, give a daily commentary on statements by the US President,” he said.

“My job is to support Australia’s position.”

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday (AEDT) announced his plans to “take over” the Gaza Strip. Picture: AFP

Mr Albanese said his government would take “considered positions” when matters of international affairs were raised, and do so in a manner that was “consistent with Australia’s values”.

“I can’t be stronger than saying what Australia’s bipartisan position has been for a long period of time across multiple governments, across many decades, and of course, the United Nations, when Australia played historically, a very important role in the creation of the State of Israel,” he said.

“It’s something that we, the Labor Party, and my government, and other governments, consistently since then, have supported.

“But those governments have also supported what happened then, which was the creation of two states, not just one, and that remains my position.

“And it has been a bipartisan issue up to this point.”

COALITION STILL BACKING TWO-STATE SOLUTION

Coalition home affairs spokesman James Paterson said the Opposition believed a two-state solution was the “most durable and sustainable”.

“But it’s also very clear that the status quo isn’t working for either Palestinians or Israelis, and we need to understand more about the president’s proposal before we could respond to it substantially,” he said.

Asked whether it was fair for the PM to decline giving a “running commentary” on Mr Trump’s statements, Mr Paterson said he believed Australia should be guided by its own national interest and make judgements “consistent with our own values” on the issue.

“We are a sovereign democracy and we make up our own mind about these things,” he said.

“I’m much more critical of the changes that the Prime Minister’s already made to our long-standing bipartisan support for a two-state solution because Labor has actually walked away from that; they now support unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state prior to any peace negotiation between Israel and Palestine.

“That’s an extraordinary departure that’s happened over the last two years from that long-standing bipartisan consensus.”

TRUMP’S PRESIDENCY ‘A THREAT TO PEACE’: GREENS LEADER

Greens leader Adam Bandt said Mr Trump’s declarations about the future of Gaza were “proof” his presidency was “a threat to peace and democracy”.

“This is the end of international law,” he said.

“This is Donald Trump talking about the takeover of another country, potentially by force.

“The Australian government must make clear that it opposes a clear violation of international law.”

‘COMPREHENSIVE RECONSTRUCTION OF GAZA’: AGHION

Executive Council of Australian Jewry president Daniel Aghion said the organisation favoured the “comprehensive reconstruction of Gaza as a peaceful, prosperous territory as was envisaged following Israel’s unilateral withdrawal in 2005”.

Mr Aghion said this vision was “wholly thwarted by Hamas”, which would “first need to be completely dismantled and have no role in the administration or governance of Gaza”.

“However, the question of whether some Gazans choose to remain in the territory through this process, temporarily relocate or are permanently absorbed by neighbouring states is ultimately a decision for those affected, most of all, Gaza’s civilian population,“ he said.

‘INCREDIBLY UNHELPFUL’: DANIEL

Asked about Mr Trump’s comments regarding the Gaza Strip, Goldstein MP Zoe Daniel said it was “incredibly unhelpful” and “dangerous” given the situation in Israel and Gaza.

“Trump goes out hard and then he reels it in, depending how it’s received, and I hope that’s what that is,” Ms Daniel said.

“From the point of view of social cohesion here ... we’re trying to actually de-escalate, not escalate.

“Unfortunately, that’s not the way that Trump operates. So I think we all need to be careful with our language around this.”

US MUST PLAY LEADING ROLE: BASSI

Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) executive director Justin Bassi said the “best” and “only” viable solution resulting in regional stability and enabling security for both Israelis and Palestinians was for the US to play a leading role.

“Leaving aside Trump’s specific language, he has made it clear he sees an ongoing leadership role in rebuilding Gaza and ensuring the Middle East is stable,” he said.

“We just can’t continue to look to Trump for soothing words. Actions on the ground involving the support of regional countries, such as Egypt and Jordan, and through groups like the G7 is where the reassurance can come from.”

Originally published as Australian politicians react to US President Donald Trump’s plan for Gaza