- Australia, Canada, and New Zealand prime ministers call for an urgent Gaza ceasefire.
- They emphasize the need for Israel to comply with international law and halt settlement expansions.
- The leaders support a two-state solution as the path to lasting peace.
In a strongly worded joint statement, the prime ministers of Australia, Canada, and New Zealand called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza to halt the escalating violence and prevent further civilian casualties.
The leaders also urged Israel to respond to the International Court of Justice’s advisory opinion on the illegality of the territories seized in 1967, including the West Bank.
Joint Plea for Peace: Leaders Urge Ceasefire in Gaza
The prime ministers of Australia, Canada, and New Zealand have issued a joint statement calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. They underscored the urgent need to prevent further civilian casualties and warned against the potential for broader regional conflict. This call comes amid heightened tensions and the threat of escalation between Hezbollah and Israel.
The leaders expressed their condemnation of Hamas for ongoing acts of terror while also urging Israel to protect civilians and adhere to international humanitarian law. They stressed that the human suffering in Gaza is unacceptable and called for all involved actors to exercise restraint and de-escalate the situation.
Additionally, the joint statement highlighted the illegal expansion of settlements in the West Bank and called for Israel to reverse these actions. The prime ministers urged Israel to respond to the International Court of Justice’s advisory opinion and ensure accountability for violence by extremist settlers.
Reiterating their commitment to a two-state solution, the leaders emphasized that this is the only viable path to achieve lasting peace. They supported the comprehensive ceasefire deal proposed by US President Joe Biden and endorsed by the UN Security Council, urging all parties to agree to the deal to prevent further loss of life.
The coordinated appeal from the leaders of Australia, Canada, and New Zealand underscores the international community’s desire for an end to the violence and a move towards lasting peace in the Middle East. Their call for a ceasefire and adherence to international law reflects a unified stance on the necessity of protecting civilian lives and achieving a two-state solution.
“We call on Israel to respond substantively to the ICJ’s advisory opinion, and ensure accountability for ongoing acts of violence against Palestinians by extremist settlers,