Six of Australia’s former prime ministers have signed a statement condemning Hamas for its October 7 attack on Israel and calling for sustained humanitarian access into Gaza.
John Howard, Kevin Rudd, Julia Gillard, Tony Abbott, Malcolm Turnbull and Scott Morrison each signed the statement that endorsed a two-state solution “as the basis for long-term lasting peace between the Israeli and Palestinian peoples”.
The statement said the leaders stood in solidarity with the Jewish Australian community and the Palestinian Australian community. It also called for the unconditional release of all hostages held by Hamas, and urged Israel to avoid civilian casualties in Gaza.
The statement did not call for a ceasefire.
Paul Keating is the only living former Australian prime minister to not sign the statement.
“The Hamas terrorists sought to horrify and intimidate the people of Israel, shaking that nation’s faith in its technology, its military, its government,” they said in the statement.
“But they also sought to provoke Israel into a reaction that would kill countless innocent civilians in Gaza. The Hamas terrorists have no more interest in the safety of Palestinians than they do of Israelis.”
“They want Israel to invade and bomb Gaza. They want to be able to point to thousands of Palestinian casualties. Their mission is to promote hatred – hatred of Israelis, hatred of Jews, hatred of Palestinians, hatred of Muslims.”
The former prime minister’s also said they did not “presume to give strategic advice to Israel”, but “the legitimate objective of defeating Hamas must be accompanied by support and protection for the civilian population of Gaza.”
“Israel promises it will do all it can to avoid civilian casualties, we urge it to do so with all of its humanity and skill,” the statement reads.
“We call for sustained humanitarian access to ensure essential supplies can reach innocent Palestinians. We are horrified by the thousands of deaths and injuries inflicted on innocent Palestinian civilians, including many, many Palestinian children.”
The group of former prime ministers also spoke to Australians directly, asking the public to treat each other with respect and love.
“If our hearts are filled with hatred, then we will be doing the terrorists’ work,” the statement read. “At home in Australia, we must treat each other with love and with respect. We must support those who are grieving and distressed.”
They said no concern about international affairs justifies hate speech against any Australian.
“We believe we speak for the vast majority of Australians, of all faiths and of none, when we say we stand in solidarity with Jewish Australians at this time,” they said.
“Likewise, we stand too with the Australian Palestinian community whose families are dying and suffering in this terrible conflict.”
“At this time, more than ever, we must, in the words of the 34th Psalm ‘seek peace and pursue it’. And here at home that is done by defending our Australian values, condemning hate speech and intolerance and respecting the people of Australia in all our diversity,” the statement concluded.
Read the full statement: