Canberra: Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the rationale provided by Israeli officials for limiting access to essential supplies lacked credibility and described it as unacceptable behavior for a democratic nation.
"People are starving," Albanese stated. "It is outrageous that a democratic state withholds aid from those in desperate need."
His comments come as international concern over Gaza intensifies, with the United Nations warning the territory is teetering on the edge of famine. Several Western nations, including the UK, France, and Canada, have warned they may impose sanctions on Israel due to its limited humanitarian access policies. Although Australia has criticized Israel’s approach, it has stopped short of endorsing the joint sanctions threat.
Albanese confirmed he raised these concerns directly with Israeli President Isaac Herzog during a recent meeting in Rome, reiterating that Israel’s justifications were "completely untenable and without credibility."
He clarified that Australia did not sign the joint statement threatening action because it was led by G7 members, though only three of them—Britain, France, and Canada—actually endorsed it.
Meanwhile, former cabinet minister Ed Husic has criticized the Australian government for not taking a stronger stance. Writing in The Guardian, Husic said Australia missed a chance to stand with its allies and urged immediate action, citing the UN’s warning that over 14,000 malnourished infants are at risk of dying.
Husic, Australia’s first Muslim cabinet member, suggested his outspoken views on the conflict contributed to his removal from cabinet.
In response to growing international pressure, Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesperson Oren Marmorstein declared that such criticism would not alter Israel’s defense strategy.
Albanese reiterated that Hamas should not be part of Gaza or the West Bank’s future and called for the release of hostages taken during the October 7 attacks.
