‘Abandoning Our Friends’: Senator Raises Concerns After Australia Supports UN Ceasefire Call

Published on December 14, 2023

Coalition Senator Dave Sharma has questioned Labor’s decision to vote for a United Nations call for a ceasefire in the Middle East conflict, claiming Australia is “abandoning our friends.” Australia voted in favour of the U.N. emergency call for an “immediate humanitarian ceasefire and the “immediate and unconditional release of all hostages” while “ensuring humanitarian access.” This motion passed with a majority but did not mention Hamas at all. In fact, two amendments that referred to Hamas were voted down by the majority of members. Australia’s support for the motion broke ranks with allies the United States and the United Kingdom....