Labor welcomes ceasefire
Australia’s opposition Labor party has warmly welcomed the long-term ceasefire in Israel and Gaza.
Tanya Plibersek
In a statement to media, Labor deputy leader and shadow foreign minister Tanya Plibersek said:
“With reports of more than 2000 dead, the human toll of this terrible conflict has been unspeakable.
We welcome both the agreement of Hamas and other militant groups in Gaza to halt all rocket and mortar fire into Israel, and Israel’s agreement to stop all military action including air strikes and ground operations.
In addition, more border crossings will be opened with Gaza to allow the easier flow of goods, including humanitarian aid and reconstruction equipment.
Labor calls on the Abbott Government to do everything it can to assist with humanitarian relief in the region.
Now a long-term ceasefire has been agreed, we support a return to negotiations between the parties for a lasting peace through a two state solution.
Foreign Minister Murray McCully says New Zealand welcomes news that an indefinite ceasefire has been agreed by Israel and the Palestinians.
“New Zealanders have been greatly concerned, and justifiably outraged, by the number of civilian casualties in this conflict,” Mr McCully says.
“We urge both sides to ensure this current ceasefire holds and commend the efforts of Egypt, the United Nations, the United States and others to negotiate this ceasefire.
“We would now like to see an early return to negotiations to agree on a two state solution, whereby Israel and a Palestinian state can exist peacefully side by side.
“New Zealand supports the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon’s call for a return to final status peace negotiations so that Israel and the Palestinians can live as two states in peace and security,” Mr McCully says.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade continues to advise against all travel to Gaza, and New Zealanders currently in Gaza are advised to depart as soon as it is safe to do so.
