The escalating conflict in Gaza and the international outcry gets louder

The need for international leaders to learn from history, use diplomacy effectively, and prioritise a just resolution is paramount.

The conflict in Gaza continues with devastating consequences, with the Israeli military intensifying its bombing campaign, resulting in a rising death toll among civilians—over 13,000, which includes over 5,000 children and over 3,500 women—and the forced displacement of 1.7 million Palestinians from their homes. International pressure on the Israeli government to halt its military actions and seek a resolution has grown, to what is now being referred to as the “second Nakba”.

“Nakba” refers to the catastrophic events of 1948 when 700,000 Palestinians were violently expelled from Palestine, marking a major historical turning point in the Middle East region, while it could be argued that the continuous displacement and ethnic cleansing endured by Palestinians over the past 75 years constitutes an ongoing Nakba, an unsettling reality that has never truly ceased. The public’s increasing awareness of the situation in Gaza and a better understanding of the historical context has fueled global public outrage—if not by governments—against the Netanyahu government and the actions of the Israeli military.

Despite growing international calls for a ceasefire, closer to home, the Australian government remains steadfast in its support for Israel’s “right to defend itself”, refusing to advocate for a cessation of hostilities. The parliamentary debate on the matter reached a boiling point, featuring a confrontational exchange between the Leader of the Opposition, Peter Dutton, and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

Dutton, who seems more intent on scoring political points than expressing genuine concern, invoked historical parallels between the current situation in Gaza and the horrors witnessed during the Second World War and urged the Prime Minister to stand united with the Jewish community—even though this is exactly what Albanese had done—accusing him of a lack of solidarity and a divisive approach. Albanese, on the other hand, accused Dutton of overreach, condemning his attempts to weaponise anti-Semitism for political gain. This clash in Parliament reflects a broader polarisation, with political leaders grappling with the challenge of fostering unity in the face of deep social divisions, especially when the conservative side of politics insists on politicising the events in Gaza for its own political benefit.

This division in Australian politics is exemplified by Dutton’s attempts to exploit fears and inflame tensions for advantage. The issue at hand, which essentially is to stop the loss of innocent lives in the first instance and push back the Israel military, is further complicated by the spread of misinformation. Reports, such as the debunked claim of a list of Palestinian operatives found in a Gazan hospital basement—which turned out to be a wall calendar—contribute to the complexity of discerning truth in the midst of conflict.

Both sides of the conflict—the Israel government and Hamas—find themselves lacking in widespread popular support: the Likud Party in Israel is deeply unpopular, as is Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and average polls during 2022 and 2023 show political support for Hamas at just 34 per cent. The nature of war, with its array of unverified claims and the unfortunate toll on non-combatants, underscores the urgency for a ceasefire. However, the international response, including the abstention of countries such as Australia and Canada in crucial votes at the United Nations, remains a point of contention.