Former Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, along with former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, has expressed skepticism about supporting a ceasefire in the ongoing Gaza conflict. While visiting Israel, Morrison voiced his concerns, referring to a ceasefire as a “play from Hamas.”
The two former world leaders met with Israeli President Isaac Herzog during their visit to Israel. Their discussions with Israeli officials included a commitment to providing humanitarian support, but Morrison emphasized his reluctance to endorse a ceasefire.
Morrison questioned the idea of offering a pause in the conflict, fearing it could allow Hamas to regroup and further bolster its resistance. He cautioned against being deceived by what he referred to as Hamas’s strategic maneuver.
This stance contrasts with recent actions and statements from Australian government officials, who have called for a humanitarian pause to facilitate the delivery of essential supplies, including food, water, and medicine, to the beleaguered population in the Gaza Strip. The Australian government has abstained from a United Nations resolution that urged an “immediate, durable, and sustainable humanitarian truce” between Israel and Hamas, citing concerns related to the attribution of the 7 October attacks to Hamas.
Meanwhile, in the Australian Senate, political tensions have flared over the government’s response to the Gaza conflict. Mehreen Faruqi, the deputy leader of the Greens, staged a protest during a parliamentary session, condemning the Labor Party’s stance and calling for immediate action to address the situation.
Australia remains engaged in a complex debate surrounding its role and responsibilities in the context of the ongoing conflict and its implications for the region.
