The Albanese Government must act in response to the US abusing its veto power on the UN Security Council by being the sole vote against a ceasefire and aid motion for Gaza.
The US vetoed the resolution proposed by all 10 non-permanent Security Council members that sought an immediate ceasefire, to allow aid to enter Gaza and the return of hostages. The final vote was 14-1 in favour, but lost due to the US veto.
Tens of thousands of civilians in Gaza have been killed by Israeli forces as part of the ongoing genocide, with a series of killings of people lining up for food aid occurring over recent days.
Senator David Shoebridge, Greens Spokesperson on Defence and Foreign Affairs, said: "Fear of Donald Trump must not gag the Albanese Government at this time. The Albanese Government has been taking its talking points from the US throughout the genocide, this has got us no closer to peace.
"The most meaningful response to the US veto would be for Australia to join the growing list of nations imposing direct sanctions on the Israeli war industry.
"The sanctions regime imposed on Russia after its invasion of Ukraine provides a ready template. This includes sanctions on critical military resources such as aluminium and armoured steel and an immediate halt to the two-way arms trade.
"The far-right Netanyahu government has shown that it can just brush off the stern letters and concerned statements that have flowed from the Albanese government these past 18 months.
"Meaningful action right now would include the cancellation of the $1 billion arms contract with Israeli weapons manufacturer Elbit Systems as part of ending the two-way arms trade.
"Unfortunately, we have seen the Albanese Government time and time again try to appease the US instead of being a force for peace in the world. This must stop now."
