The Age/Matthew Knott, Olivia Ireland/22.5.2024
No question that Netanyahu is right – there is no comparison between the Israeli Government and Hamas – Israel is a far more murderous organisation – Mark
The federal government has insisted there is no moral equivalence between Israel and Hamas while backing the International Criminal Court’s role upholding international law after its top prosecutor sensationally requested arrest warrants for Israel’s prime minister and defence chief as well as three Hamas leaders for alleged war crimes.
In a notable divergence from US President Joe Biden, who blasted the requested warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese sidestepped questions about the issue yesterday, prompting Opposition Leader Peter Dutton to accuse him of ‘‘selling out Australia’’ by failing to back Israel.
If the international court were to find Netanyahu, Gallant or the Hamas leaders guilty of war crimes, they would not be allowed into Australia, as the government is a signatory to the Rome Statute – the treaty that established the court.
A Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokesperson, responding on behalf of Foreign Minister Penny Wong, said: ‘‘Australia respects the ICC and the important role it has in upholding international law. The decision on whether to issue arrest warrants is a matter for the court in the independent exercise of its functions.
‘‘It is not appropriate to comment on matters before the court.’’
The department spokesperson continued: ‘‘There is no equivalence between Israel and Hamas. Hamas is a terrorist organisation.
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