Foreign Minister Penny Wong urges calm from Peter Dutton and Adam Bandt following ceasefire deal
The Liberal and Greens leaders have been cautioned against bringing the Israel-Gaza conflict into Australia following the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas.
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Foreign Minister Penny Wong has warned both Peter Dutton and Adam Bandt to not inflame community tensions following the announcement of a phased ceasefire deal in Gaza.
Slated to begin from Sunday, Senator Wong said the three-stage agreement between Israeli and Hamas was a “really important opportunity to take the temperature down”, and said politicians had a role to play.
But said Australian political leaders, including the Opposition Leader and Greens leader – who have been vocal on opposite sides of the issue – to be aware of their public statements.
“Mr Dutton has a role in that, so does Mr Bandt. We don’t want this conflict brought here,” she told Sky.
“We are going to have different views, but how we talk about those views (matters) … That sort of absolutism doesn’t help.”
She said the recent acts of anti-Semitism domestically was not only an attack on the Jewish community, but also on Australia as well.
Speaking to Sky News interviewer Cheng Lei, Senator Wong said: “You and I understand what it is to live in this multicultural society, and we understand the values that have to be held onto in order to continue ensuring the society is strong.
“I’d really encourage Mr Dutton to be constructive, and to Mr Bandt too.
“We don’t want the conflict brought here, this is an opportunity for us all to work towards peace.”
‘No role for Hamas’: Albo’s Gaza peace plea
Early on Thursday, Anthony Albanese said there was “no role for Hamas” in post-conflict Gaza after countries mediating ceasefire talks between Israel and the Islamist militant group announced a breakthrough.
The US and Qatar said on Wednesday (local time) that both parties had agreed to a phased release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners in exchange for a pause in fighting.
The Prime Minister said on Thursday he hoped the deal, which still needs to be approved by the Israeli government, was an “opportunity to rebuild, reform their governance”.
“This agreement is a constructive step towards peace and stability in the region,” Mr Albanese told reporters in Canberra.
“Today must mark the beginning of a new chapter for the Israeli and Palestinian people.
“We hope it will allow the Palestinian people the opportunity to rebuild, reform their governance which is most necessary to pursue self-determination.”
The Executive Council of Australian Jewry president Daniel Aghion said the local community was “greatly relieved” by the ceasefire announcement.
“For the past 15 months, we have watched in dismay as civilian hostages have been held and used as a bargaining chip to achieve Hamas’ evil ends,” Mr Aghion said in a statement.
“We congratulate the Israeli government for achieving a ceasefire and we hope and fervently pray that the deal will stick and the hostages will be returned.”
He said there was still the question of Hamas’ control of Gaza.
“For now, however, we are pleased to see a resolution and we hope that this difficult war will soon come to a permanent end with peace for all peoples of the region.”
Hamas, which runs Gaza, sparked the war when it launched its brutal October 7 terrorist attack on Israel in 2023.
Militants killed more 1200 and took hundreds more hostage as they retreated, including children.
The ensuing Israeli response has decimated Gaza, where Hamas has riddled civilians areas with weapons caches and operational sites.
Some 46,000 people have been killed, according to local health officials.
The exact number of civilians deaths is unknown.
Mr Albanese said Australia remained “unequivocal in our condemnation of Hamas’ atrocities on 7th October and of the ideology that drive this terrorist organisation”.
“There must be no role for Hamas in the future governance of Gaza,” he said.
“Any future Palestinian state must not be in a position to threaten Israel’s security.
“We will continue to act in partnership with the international community to support the urgent humanitarian needs of the people of Gaza.”
‘Freedom at last’
Under the proposed ceasefire deal, announced separately by US President Joe Biden and Qatari Prime Minister Sheik Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, 33 of the remaining 94 Israeli hostages would be let go.
Hundreds of Palestinian prisoners would go free in return.
Finer details of the agreement are scarce, but from what has been backgrounded to media, civilians would be allowed to return to northern Gaza.
More humanitarian aid would also be allowed into the territory.
Meanwhile, Israeli forces would start pulling back.
At home, Jewish Australians have cautiously celebrated the breakthrough.
“This is a tidal wave of emotions for Israel and the Jewish people – a mix of relief and anguish,” Anti-Defamation Commission chairman Dvir Abramovich said in a statement.
“The announcement that 33 hostages, ripped from their families in an act of pure evil on October 7, 2023, will soon return home is a sliver of light piercing a pitch-black abyss.
“For 467 soul-crushing days, these innocent mothers, fathers, sons, and daughters have endured unspeakable torment, imprisoned as bargaining chips by a ruthless terrorist machine that feeds on suffering.
“Their impending reunion with loved ones is a triumph of the unbreakable spirit and relentless determination that define Israel and the global Jewish community – a moment of hope clawed back from the jaws of despair.”
But he urged people not to “mistake this moment for closure”, noting that dozens of hostages would remain in Hamas’ hands.
“These men, women, and children are still trapped in a nightmare, their freedom stolen, their humanity disregarded,” Dr Abramovich said.
“The world cannot turn its back. The international community has a moral imperative to act with unrelenting urgency and ensure that every last hostage is freed.
“Anything less is a betrayal of justice and humanity.”
Similarly, Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ) president Daniel Aghion welcomed the deal, but said Hamas would need to be deposed if Palestinians want to make something from the ruins of Gaza.
“There is still the question of Hamas control of Gaza which will need to be dealt with if the Palestinians are to have any chance of self-determination in the Gaza Strip,” Mr Aghion said.
“For now, however, we are pleased to see a resolution and we hope that this difficult war will soon come to a permanent end with peace for all peoples of the region.”
Originally published as Foreign Minister Penny Wong urges calm from Peter Dutton and Adam Bandt following ceasefire deal
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