In addition to our coordinated calls for a ceasefire and the release of hostages, we are working with other donors to provide lifesaving assistance. Australia has committed more than $90 million in humanitarian aid to support civilians affected by the conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon. We have also doubled our annual funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA).

Loading

I am leading an influential group of countries to create a Global Declaration on the Protection of Humanitarian Workers. We are building a coalition for the safety of aid workers who provide the food, water and medicine civilians need to survive.

Australia works with Canada, New Zealand and other supporters of international law, including supporting the independence of the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court. International law includes the United Nations Charter, which allows countries to defend themselves – and the Geneva Conventions, which protect civilians during war. Palestinian civilians cannot pay the price for Hamas’ defeat.

Australia has joined many countries in condemning and sanctioning Hamas, Hezbollah and others for their terrorism. Just as we have joined forces to sanction extremist Israeli settlers for their violence against Palestinians in the West Bank.

We work with others because going it alone gets us nowhere in the Middle East. But you wouldn’t think that by listening to certain politicians. Peter Dutton demands that I do what no other country has done: say that the rules do not apply to Israel. And the Greens demand that I apply sanctions to Israel that no other country has applied. When Australia applies sanctions, we coordinate with our partners. This is what makes them effective.

Loading

These two ends of the political spectrum repeat the absolutist positions we see overseas in order to recklessly reproduce conflict in our diverse society and exploit distressed Australians. All-or-nothing demands do nothing to end the cycle of violence in the Middle East.

This can only happen when the promise of two States is fulfilled. Unfortunately, this prospect seems distant. Hamas, which seeks to end the Jewish state, is fiercely opposed. Many members of Netanyahu’s government do not support him either. But Israel’s long-term security demands it, and Palestinians have the right to self-determination.

Australia was one of 143 countries to vote in favor of Palestinian aspirations for full membership in the UN – where we also called for a timetable for the international declaration of Palestinian statehood. On our own, we have few means of pressure to make things happen in the Middle East. That’s why our approach is focused on building international support from other countries who want to end this war.

Penny Wong is Australia’s Foreign Minister.

The Opinion newsletter is a weekly collection of opinions that will challenge, defend and inform your own. Register here.