Julie Bishop says Palestinian protesters are ‘incited by Hamas’

Julie Bishop says Australia is “deeply concerned” at the level of violence in Gaza following the single deadliest day since 2014.

Bishop’s comments come after the PM blamed Hamas for the 58 deaths. Picture: AP

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop says Australia is “deeply concerned” at the level of violence in Gaza and calls on all sides to show restraint, following the single deadliest day in the Gaza Strip since 2014.

Ms Bishop’s comments come after Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull joined the US in blaming Palestinian group Hamas for the deaths of 58 Palestinians, and former Australian ambassador to Israel Dave Sharma called on the Turnbull government to consider recognising Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, even if it does not follow the US in moving the embassy from Tel Aviv.

Ms Bishop said Palestinian protesters were being “incited by Hamas”.

“And yet Hamas must know that if they encourage protesters to cross into Israeli territory, there will be a response,” she said.

“Likewise, the Israeli Defence Force is carrying out Israel’s right to self defence but it must be proportionate and there must not be an excessive use of force.

“We call on all sides to de-escalate the tensions, stop the violence and return to peaceful negotiations so that we can achieve a two-state solution whereby the people of Israel and the people of the Palestinian territories can live side-by-side behind internationally-recognised borders.”

Asked whether she condemned the IDF’s use of live ammunition, Ms Bishop said she certainly called on all parties to “de-escalate”.

“The protesters should not seek to enter the Israeli territories by force. Hamas should not be instigating this kind of protests which they must know could lead to violence, and the Israelis must use proportionate measures in self-defence,” Ms Bishop said.

“We are obviously following this matter very closely as are other nations around the world but both sides need to de-escalate.

“There is enough violence in the Middle East without Gaza being embroiled in it and we would hope that both sides will return to the negotiating table.”