Greens senator David Shoebridge has responded on behalf of the party to the government co-signing a statement with 24 other countries and the EU calling for the immediate end to the war on Gaza:

For nearly two years, the Greens have been demanding the Government call for an immediate ceasefire. During this time, they have not only refused to do so but attacked those calling for peace.

We welcome the recent statement, but it is clear that the Albanese Government has been on the wrong side of history for the past two years. They need to take action now. 

Just this month, the Government was facilitating weapons exports to Israel. You cannot, on the one hand, call for peace while fuelling war with the other.

Words and strong statements will not stop the bombing, shelling and shooting of Palestinians. Australia and the rest of the world need to match these words with action, starting with an urgent ban on sending weapons and weapons parts to Israel.

Now Australia has recognised the obscenity of Israel’s ongoing Gaza campaign, we must also cancel the billions of dollars in contracts with Israeli weapons manufacturers who sell their products as “battle tested” in a genocide.

International law, common decency and the wishes of billions of people across the world for a Free Palestine all demand the same thing. Action, justice and a world that acts for peace.”