The Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem and Israel, today made clear that Israel has committed genocide against the Palestinians in Gaza. The Albanese Government must now acknowledge the genocide and take direct material actions in the wake of these findings.
The United Nations commission's report made clear that countries like Australia have an immediate legal duty under the Genocide Convention to employ all means available to prevent and punish the crime of genocide.
These actions include ending the transfer of weapons and other equipment to Israel, including through third countries, and imposing sanctions.
Senator David Shoebridge, Greens spokesperson on Foreign Affairs, said:
"We know what the Albanese Government must do, the UN have made it crystal clear, stop the two-way arms trade with Israel, and sanction the Israeli Government."
"The Albanese Government must now finally acknowledge there is a genocide in Gaza."
"This report concludes the Israeli military is committing a genocide in Gaza. The Albanese Labor Government continues to allow Australian citizens to fight in the Israeli military as active participants in this genocide. That cannot continue."
"We know that the Israeli military is using Australian-made weapons and weapon parts. This includes the F-35 fighter jet parts, the R400 turret photographed in Israel this year, the DroneGun and armoured steel. By allowing this deadly trade, the Albanese Government is complicit in a genocide.
"Instead of acting, the Albanese Government has been gaslighting the Australian public about its role in the genocide and its legal responsibilities to prevent it.
"There is a current example of the action needed to address gross breaches of international law and it's the sanctions against Russia. Australia must now impose the same sanctions regime against Israel and do all it can to prevent Israel's genocide in Gaza."
Senator Mehreen Faruqi, Greens spokesperson on International Aid and Justice, said:
"How many reports and inquiries confirming Israel is committing a genocide against the Palestinian people will it take for Prime Minister Albanese and Minister Wong to face the evil they have allowed to continue unchecked for the past two years?"
"The United Nations Commission of Inquiry Report is yet another nail in the coffin of Israel's disgusting attempts to pretend there is any legitimate reason for the violence and horror it is inflicting on the people of Gaza.
"The Albanese Government has failed over and over again to demonstrate any courage, compassion or sense of human decency.
"This report must be the turning point. The Government must sanction Israel, expel the Israeli ambassador and end the two-way arms trade."
