- On 22 March 2024, the Minister for Foreign Affairs Senator the Hon Penny Wong and the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence the Hon Richard Marles MP hosted the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs the Rt Hon Lord David Cameron and the Secretary of State for Defence the Rt Hon Grant Shapps MP for the Australia-UK Ministerial Consultations (AUKMIN) in Adelaide.
- Ministers expressed deep concern at the catastrophic humanitarian crisis in Gaza. They unequivocally condemned the 7 October 2023 Hamas attacks on Israel as abhorrent acts of terror against innocent civilians, including heinous acts of sexual violence. They stressed that all parties must act within international humanitarian law and reiterated their calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages and the protection of civilians at all times. Ministers called on Israel to allow immediate, safe, unimpeded and increased humanitarian relief to reach Palestinians in Gaza. Ministers recognised the vital role of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA). They noted the progress of the UN Office for Internal Oversight Services investigation and the investigation on UNRWA neutrality policies, as well as steps to date by the UN and UNRWA on management reform. Given the large number of displaced persons taking refuge in the area and lack of safe spaces in Gaza, Ministers shared deep concern at the potentially devastating consequences for the civilian population of an expanded Israeli military operation in Rafah. They expressed the urgency of an immediate cessation of fighting in Gaza to allow aid to flow and hostages to be released as a crucial step toward a permanent, sustainable ceasefire. Ministers support ongoing diplomatic efforts to achieve this. Ministers confirmed their commitment to provide increased support for humanitarian relief in Gaza. Ministers reaffirmed both nations’ commitment to a two-state solution in which Israel and a future Palestinian state coexist, in peace and security, based on the 1967 lines, and discussed how recognition might assist in giving momentum toward that goal.
Australia Israel Labor Dialogue
Joint Statement on Australia-UK Ministerial Consultations (AUKMIN) 2024, 22 March 2024
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