Albanese slams Israeli claims of no starvation in Gaza
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Australia's prime minister criticizes "Israel’s" denial of starvation in Gaza, citing media censorship and humanitarian concerns.
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Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese gestures during his TV debate with Opposition leader Peter Dutton in Sydney, Australia, Tuesday, April 8, 2025. (AP)
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese slammed Israeli claims that there is no starvation in Gaza as "beyond comprehension", following such allegations by Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu and the Israeli Embassy in Australia.
Albanese additionally raised concerns over "Israel’s" restrictions preventing journalists from entering the war-torn Palestinian territory, as the Greens party intensified pressure on the government by pushing for additional sanctions against members of the Israeli government.
During Labor’s caucus meeting, when asked by MP Ed Husic about Australia’s potential recognition of a Palestinian state, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese responded by condemning the Israeli government’s claims, referencing overseas reports of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s remarks, as well as Australian media coverage of statements made by Israeli deputy ambassador Amir Meron.
In a Monday briefing, Israeli deputy ambassador Amir Meron reportedly told journalists that "Israel" viewed images of starving Palestinians as "false pictures" from what he described as a "false campaign being led by Hamas," adding that "Israel" does not "recognize any famine or starvation in the Gaza Strip."
Claims 'beyond comprehension'
During Tuesday's Labor Party meeting, Albanese dismissed such claims as "beyond comprehension" while calling for caution regarding health information provided by Hamas. However, he still emphasized that "Israel's" restrictions on journalists entering Gaza had prevented independent verification of the humanitarian crisis unfolding in the territory.
When asked by Husic about a timeline for Palestinian statehood recognition, Albanese avoided committing to a specific timeframe, though Guardian Australia reported that he invoked Nelson Mandela's quote, "It always seems impossible until it’s done," which some attendees interpreted as suggesting the conditions for recognizing Palestine could soon be achievable.
Albanese previously stated that "Israel" is breaching international laws in Gaza by blocking humanitarian aid from entering the war-bereaved territory, telling ABC program Insiders in a Sunday interview, “Quite clearly it is a breach of international law to stop food being delivered which was a decision that Israel made in March."
Australia sanctions Russia, fails to sanction 'Israel'
On Tuesday, the Greens urged Australia to impose further sanctions on "Israel", similar to those enacted in response to Russia's war against Ukraine, proposing targeted measures against members of Netanyahu's government and other key officials that would restrict their travel and freeze financial assets.
While Australia has imposed sanctions on approximately 1,400 individuals linked to the Russian war, it has taken far fewer measures related to the genocidal war in Gaza, with June seeing Australia join allies like the UK and New Zealand in targeting far-right Israeli ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich over their role in inciting West Bank violence against Palestinians
Greens foreign affairs spokesperson David Shoebridge demanded expanded sanctions that would halt Australian exports to "Israel", particularly military goods, while also demanding the termination of existing contracts with Israeli companies.
