Motions

Israel

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (15:38): I move:

That this council—

1. Unequivocally condemns the attacks on Israel by Hamas, which are the heinous acts of terrorists, and have encompassed the targeting and murder of civilians, including women and children, the taking of hostages and indiscriminate rocket fire;

2. Stands with Israel and recognises its inherent right to defend itself;

3. Condemns antisemitism and recognises that generations of Jewish people have been subjected to this hateful prejudice;

4. Calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages;

5. Recognises that Hamas does not represent the Palestinian people, nor their legitimate needs and aspirations;

6. Acknowledges the devastating loss of Israeli and Palestinian life and that innocent civilians on all sides are suffering as a result of the attacks by Hamas and the subsequent conflict;

7. Supports justice and freedom for Israelis and Palestinians alike;

8. Supports international efforts to establish and maintain humanitarian access into Gaza, including safe passage for civilians;

9. Reiterates Australia's consistent position in all contexts is to call for the protection of civilian lives and the observance of international law;

10. Acknowledges what has unfolded is deeply distressing for many in the South Australian community, close to the heart of many, and it is important that we maintain respect for each other here at home as people express their views;

11. Condemns all forms of hate speech and violent extremist activity, including antisemitism and Islamophobia;

12. Recognises an attack on any religion is an attack on all religions and that we all share a responsibility to unite, condemn and defeat such an attack on our common values and way of life; and

13. Affirms in the strongest possible terms that hateful prejudice has no place in South Australia.

I move this motion on behalf of the government in this place. It is with a heavy heart that I acknowledge that on Saturday 7 October the terrorist group Hamas launched a series of coordinated attacks upon the people of Israel along the Gaza Strip, killing over a thousand civilians and taking hundreds of hostages in what is a deadly militant assault in the life of the nation.

This was an unambiguous attack, an act of terrorism against the state of Israel and its people, and an act of hate against the Jewish people, with the attacks timed to coincide with a day of Jewish celebration. Since then, the situation in Gaza has become one of blood and terror, with casualties rising by the hour.

I want to say plainly that we condemn Hamas for their acts of indiscriminate violence and murder. To the people of the region, we offer our great sympathy. We share your anger, your sorrow and your outrage. There has been devastating loss of life, Israeli and Palestinian alike, in the war zone that Gaza has become.

We recognise the right of Israel to defend itself from attack, even as we continue to support solutions that would allow the people of the region to live together in peace and mutual recognition. This motion seeks to convey a clear message that the Parliament of South Australia and the people of South Australia wish fervently for peace in the Middle East and the return to a rules-based order.

We support the international humanitarian efforts being made to aid the people of Gaza, and we call for the establishment of corridors to allow safe passage for aid workers, civilians and critical goods alike. We join the international call for the immediate release of all hostages held by Hamas, and we continue to advocate for adherence to the international law and for the protection of civilian lives as a matter of clear and urgent priority.

We also recognise that many South Australians have family, friends and communities in the region, and we know that they are experiencing immense personal distress through this dark and difficult time. Here in South Australia, we must continue to show respect for one another regardless of individual views on the conflict and reiterate that there is no place for hate speech or extremist violence in our peaceful state. With this motion, the South Australian parliament expresses hope for a swift end to this violent conflict and its horrific cost on human lives, and wishes for peace, freedom and justice to prevail for Israelis and Palestinians who call the region home.

The state government, as is the case with the commonwealth, supports the long-term pursuit of a two-state solution being realised as being the only practical means to recognise the deep connection that Palestinian people have with the land in that part of the world and the right of Israel to exist peacefully without the fear of elimination, as is the policy position currently held by other states that it borders, including the leadership of Hamas. We know that Hamas does not represent the Palestinian people.

Israel has the right to exist peacefully and to be a proud liberal democracy that it is, and the Palestinian people deserve a prosperous future with a connection to parts of the land that they naturally call home.

A two-state solution is something that this state endorses but today we make clear that any act of terrorism is not something that this parliament will bear witness to without standing against. I hope this parliament will endorse this motion to send the clearest possible signal that this parliament stands for peace and to extend our very great sympathy to all those affected by this devastating conflict.

The Hon. N.J. CENTOFANTI (Leader of the Opposition) (15:44): The Israeli-Hamas conflict is a deeply entrenched and complex issue that has spanned decades, rooted in historical, political and religious disputes. It revolves around the struggle for control over land, resources and sovereignty in the region, primarily between the nation of Israel and Hamas, a Palestinian terrorist organisation. While it is important to recognise the profound historical grievances on both sides, fostering respect is crucial to moving towards a more peaceful and equitable resolution.

Hamas, the Palestinian terrorist organisation, has long been a destabilising force in the Middle East, earning widespread condemnation for its actions that have consistently undermined peace and stability in the region. Hamas is unequivocally condemned for its indiscriminate rocket attacks on the Israeli civilian populations. For years, the organisation has launched thousands of rockets from densely populated areas within the Gaza Strip, using Palestinian civilians as human shields and jeopardising their lives. Such tactics violate fundamental principles of humanity and international law.

It is a sad fact that part of the Israeli building code is that all residences must be built with a bomb shelter. Regardless of religious or ethnic background, Jew or Arab, all who live and work in the nation of Israel do so with that constant fear. Furthermore, Hamas's refusal to recognise the state of Israel's right to exist and its explicit commitment to Israel's destruction demonstrates a dangerous and intransigent stance.

True peace can only be achieved through mutual recognition, negotiation and compromise, yet the obstinacy of Hamas, an internationally condemned terrorist organisation, perpetuates the cycle of violence and distrust. The organisation's use of terror tactics such as suicide bombings and, as earlier mentioned, using vulnerable Palestinian families as human shields, has led to countless deaths and suffering on both sides of the conflict. Many Palestinians are dead. The Israeli body count is not higher only because they have the world's most effective air defence system.

The reprehensible acts of Hamas have left a trail of destruction and misery, further deepening the division in the region. Hamas's government in the Gaza Strip has been marked by authoritarianism, curbing free speech and supressing dissent. Human rights abuses and political oppression have become all too common under its rule, leaving Palestinian civilians vulnerable to oppression. Moreover, Hamas's diversion of international aid and resources toward military efforts rather than the welfare of its own people has exacerbated the dire humanitarian conditions in Gaza.

The organisation's mismanagement has resulted in a lack of basic services and economic opportunities for the Palestinian population. They are sentencing their own people to poverty and neglect. Hamas's actions have consistently hindered the pursuit of a peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. True peace and justice can only be achieved by condemning and holding Hamas accountable for its actions, recognising the organisation's role in perpetuating suffering, instability and violence in the region.

Israelis have a legitimate right to secure borders and self-determination, and we stand with Israel and recognise its inherent right to defend itself. The recent unprovoked attacks by Hamas have undoubtedly been a deeply distressing and painful experience for the Jewish community worldwide. It is with a heavy heart that we acknowledge the profound emotional impact these events have on survivors and descendants of the Holocaust.

The memory of that horrific period in history still looms large. The extermination of six million Jewish people should never be forgotten. The recent violence perpetrated by Hamas undoubtedly brings back painful memories and anguish. Hamas's attack on 7 October, one that was unprovoked and very deliberate in its targeting of civilians, murdering and capturing men, women and children, sent shockwaves around the globe.

We, the Liberal Party of South Australia, today offer our heartfelt sympathy and support during this challenging time. The trauma and scars left by the Holocaust are indelible, and witnessing innocent civilians in Israel facing the ongoing prospect of rocket attacks, machine-gun fire and kidnappings is a stark reminder of the resilience and strength the Jewish people have demonstrated throughout history.

We join with the Jewish community in commemorating the memory of the Holocaust victims and remain committed to promoting tolerance, understanding and peaceful coexistence as a means to prevent such tragedies from recurring. In times like these it is essential to come together, to support one another and to continue advocating for peace and justice.

The world must condemn the unprovoked attacks and work towards a lasting and just solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Our thoughts are with the Jewish community as they navigate these distressing circumstances. We stand in solidarity with you, emphasising the importance of preserving the memory of the Holocaust and preventing any recurrence of such dark chapters in human history.

Respect can pave the way for meaningful dialogue and negotiations, but this cannot happen with Hamas at the helm of Palestine. A lack of respect often leads to intransigence, with each side refusing to engage in meaningful talks due to perceived slights or disrespect. By approaching the conflict with respect, with diplomats and not terrorists leading the way, leaders and negotiators can create an environment conducive to productive dialogue, increasing the chances of finding common ground and sustainable solutions.

I am not beyond the hope that this can and will occur. Respecting the human rights of both Israelis and Palestinians is essential. Recognising the humanity and rights of every individual, regardless of their ethnicity or nationality, is a fundamental aspect of international law and ethical principles. It is also a fundamental Liberal belief. A respect for freedom and human rights, including the right to life, security and dignity, must underpin any resolution to the conflict.

I trust that Hamas can and will be defeated, that Palestinian people can be represented in their homeland not by terrorists but by diplomats, and I trust that they will be accepted by neighbours on all sides, not blocked by Jordan, Egypt or Syria, where the doors are shut hard against them. I trust there will come a day when Israeli people will not need to live with the world's best air defence system, where part of their building code is that each residential house needs to be built with a bomb shelter attached. It is a reality I cannot fathom and it breaks my heart that people live in these situations.

True and lasting peace can only be achieved when there is a willingness to engage in constructive dialogue and a commitment to uphold human rights, something which seems impossible to achieve with Hamas in control. By fostering respect for the legitimate concerns and rights of everyone who lives in Israel, the international community can contribute to a more peaceful and just resolution to this longstanding conflict.

In South Australia we must do our part to call for calm in our migrant populations. We have a wonderful multicultural community here. Many are hurting, and we must ensure that hate speech plays no part in our society, that violent extremist activity does not seep its way into our social fabric. Antisemitism must be condemned. Islamophobia must be unacceptable. I repeat that true peace and justice can only be achieved by condemning and holding Hamas accountable for its actions on both the people of Israel and the Palestinian population they claim to protect.

To finish, I submit a sombre warning: proportionality is a badly overused word in this conflict. Hamas is a terror organisation. The verified reports and eyewitness accounts are shocking. Hamas disguises their attackers in Israeli defence force uniforms and lures Israelis out of safety to be tortured. They are raping women in front of their children. They are going from house to house, smoking people out and shooting them on the street. They use entire apartment blocks of families as the base for firing rockets, turning the building into an active military target.

October 7 was the single worst act against Jewish people since Hitler, and it is shameful that Hamas continues to bring those atrocities upon the Jewish and Palestinian people who live and work in Israel. What proportionality is there when all Hamas wants is to exterminate every Jewish person from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea? I pray for peace for Israel and an end to Hamas's terror.

Debate adjourned on motion of Hon. I.K. Hunter.