Targeting civilians inexcusable, says MP Melissa Parke

A LABOR MP has accused Israel of “indiscriminately” killing Palestinian women, children and the disabled.

A LABOR MP has accused Israel of “indiscriminately” killing Palestinian women, children and the disabled, warning collective punishment is a “war crime”.

Melissa Parke, a former UN aid worker in Gaza, yesterday voiced “extreme concern” that Israeli bombings had killed more than 170 Palestinians and injured another 1100 while no one had been killed by Hamas rocket fire.

“The rockets from Gaza are not in any way justified and, insofar as they threaten and harm civilians, are illegal under international law,” the Fremantle MP told parliament yesterday. “The Israelis know every inch of Gaza and are capable of pinpointing their rockets. It is therefore inexcusable that a centre for disabled people was targeted. It is unacceptable that women and children are being killed indiscriminately.”

Jeremy Jones, director of international affairs at the Australia-Israel and Jewish Affairs Council, said Ms Parke’s “shameful” comments
neglected evidence that Hamas militants were “hiding behind civilians”.

Mr Jones insisted the Israeli military was “clearly” going out of its way to avoid civilian casualties.