Overview

• Four protesters in their seventies shouted “Sanction Israel now” and displayed banners during question time, prompting their removal and a three-month ban from Parliament House.
• The demonstrators cited the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and urged the government to cancel defence contracts with Israeli firms such as Elbit Systems.
• Prime Minister Anthony Albanese rejected calls for sanctions, arguing Australia must pursue substantive diplomatic measures rather than symbolic gestures.
• He also declined to indicate whether he would back recognising Palestinian statehood at the UN General Assembly, warning against decisions made to score political points.
• Foreign Minister Penny Wong co-signed a joint statement with 14 countries, including France and New Zealand, declaring Palestinian statehood essential to a two-state solution.