From AIJAC Rambam Fellow Senator Joe Ludwig's speech against a motion by Greens Senator Kerry Nettle noting comments about the hardship in Gaza from the Commissioner-General of UNRWA and calling "on the Australian Government to make representations to the Israeli Government to immediately lift the blockade of Gaza." The motion contained no mention of Palestinian rocket attacks or any other comment on Palestinian activities.
Senator LUDWIG (Queensland-Minister for Human Services) (10.38 a.m.)-by leave-We oppose the motion as it stands because it is one-sided and does not recognise the complexities of the situation which has arisen as a result of the Hamas takeover of Gaza last year. We call on all sides in the conflict to make every effort to end violence affecting civilian populations in both the Palestinian territories and Israel. It is important that both sides remain focused on peace negotiations launched at Annapolis which offered the only viable hope for a peaceful and just solution to the conflict. The Australian government is seriously concerned at the humanitarian situation in Gaza. The humanitarian crisis is in no-one's interest. Note that we have doubled our aid to the Palestinian territories to $45 million for 2008. Israel's policies towards Gaza are a result of continued rocket attacks launched from Gaza. Australia is committed to a two-stage solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict which recognises both Israel's right to exist in peace and security and the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people for a state of their own.
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