Hostages family members visit Australia
The Parliamentary Friends of Israel has hosted a private briefing for MPs and senators by the families and representatives of a number of the Israeli victims and hostages whom Hamas and other groups are currently holding.
Senator Deborah O’Neill, the Chair of the Israel Parliamentary Friendship Group said: “These families travelled from Israel to Australia to specifically brief Australian parliamentarians.
This was a deeply moving event and an opportunity for Parliamentarians to hear first-hand and in-person from some of those affected by the Hamas attack on Israel.
This event was organised by the Embassy of Israel, with the support of Senator Deborah O’Neill and Senator the Hon. David Fawcett in their capacity as Chair and Deputy Chair of the Parliamentary Friends of Israel.”
Joining Senator O’Neill in meeting the families were Israel’s ambassador to Australia Amir Maimon, Attorney General Mark Dreyfus and MPs Josh Burns, Allegra Spender, Claire Chandler, Zoe Daniel, Andrew Hastie, Luke Gosling and David Fawcett (Deputy leader of the PFG).
Later, the family members accompanied Ambassador Maimon t0 federal parliament.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles meet the families
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told them: Can I welcome the Ambassador and this important delegation here to meet with myself, the Deputy Prime Minister and our Foreign Minister today.
My Government unequivocally condemns the terrorist action that led to such a tragic loss of life for the people of Israel on October 7.
And what’s more, we call once again for the unconditional release of hostages.
This has no place in the world in 2023, the fact that people attending a concert were hunted down in the way that they were.
I express on behalf of the Government and on behalf of the Australian people our sincere sympathy and condolences for your loss of loved ones, friends and family.
And our commitment to continue to call consistently, unequivocally for the release of all the hostages that have now been taken for a long period of time.
We welcome the fact that some have been released.
But this should not be the subject of negotiation, it should be the subject of decency – the idea that people will be held us hostage.
So, I’m sorry about the circumstances for your visit here to Australia. But you are very, very welcome here.
And I think you’re raising of these issues will once again make sure that it is front of mind for the Australian people, the ongoing suffering and trauma which is occurring.
And you have here my leadership team, just an indication of the seriousness that we take this issue, of the fact that we are concerned about the rise of anti-Semitism that is seen globally. And unfortunately, there has been some reflection of that here in Australia.
Last week in Melbourne, I was at the opening of the quite remarkable Holocaust Museum. And that was a reminder, a constant reminder, school children coming through there being reminded of where hatred can end.”
The families were expected to have personal discussions with the prime minister.
