Canada, New Zealand, and Australia issued a joint statement calling on “Israel must respect humanitarian law” and backing support for a “sustainable ceasefire.”
This statement comes hours after U.S. President Joe Biden said Israel was beginning to lose support around the world.
The leaders unequivocally condemned the terror attacks by Hamas on October 7, which resulted in significant loss of life and included heinous acts of violence., while affording Israel’s right to exist and defend itself.
However, the statement also argued that the price of defeating Hamas cannot be the continuous suffering of all Palestinian civilians.
“We are alarmed at the diminishing safe space for civilians in Gaza,” read the statement.
At the same time, the three countries condemned Hamas’ unacceptable treatment of hostages and called for the immediate and unconditional release of all remaining hostages.
The countries noted that the recent pause in hostilities allowed for the release of more than 100 hostages.
“We acknowledge the persistent diplomatic efforts of the United States, Qatar, and Egypt to broker this pause, and we regret it could not be extended,” read the statement.
“We want to see this pause resumed and support urgent international efforts towards a sustainable ceasefire. This cannot be one-sided. Hamas must release all hostages, stop using Palestinian civilians as human shields, and lay down its arms.”
The three countries emphasized that Gaza must no longer be used as a platform for terrorism.
“There is no role for Hamas in the future governance of Gaza.”
Canada, New Zealand, and Australia said that they recommit themselves to working with partners toward a just and enduring peace in the form of a two-state solution.
The statement concluded with the three countries condemning rising antisemitism, Islamophobia, and anti-Arab sentiment in their countries and around the world, saying that the countries who issued the joint statement remain firmly committed to combatting prejudice, hatred, and violent extremism.
