AT least 317 Australian political leaders, including a large number of serving Labor federal, state, and territory MPs, demanded a permanent ceasefire in Gaza as the government faces increasing political pressure.
The political leaders first released the petition for a permanent Gaza ceasefire in December.
They also called for the recognition of a Palestinian state.
At present, Australia supports a two-state solution in which Israel and a future Palestinian state peacefully coexist within internationally recognized borders.
Moreover, Australia officially resumed the use of the term ‘Occupied Palestinian Territories’ and referred to the Israeli settlements as “illegal” in August of last year.
In November, the Australia men’s football team Socceroos together with Football Australia pledged to donate a percentage of their match fees to Palestinians in Gaza.
Last month, Australia supported a UN resolution calling for a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza. The move was a rare split of stance with its close ally the United States.
