9th Oct 2024, 4:42 PM – Senate Motions - Israel Attacks: First Anniversary - Remaining amended motion paragraphs

The majority voted in favour of the remaining paragraphs in the amended motion (i.e., paragraphs (a) to (k) and (n) to (q)), which means it passed. Motions like these do not make legal changes on their own but are politically influential because they represent the will of the Senate.

Motion text

That the Senate—

(a) reiterates its unequivocal condemnation of Hamas' terror attacks on Israel which took place on 7 October 2023, in which more than 1,200 innocent Israelis were killed, the largest loss of Jewish life on any single day since the Holocaust, and the vow made by the perpetrators to repeat these attacks indefinitely;

(b) recognises that hundreds more innocent people were subjected to brutality and violence on that day;

(c) calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all remaining hostages;

(d) condemns the murder of hostages and the inhumane conditions and violence, including sexual violence, that hostages have experienced;

(e) mourns with all impacted by these heinous acts;

(f) reiterates that it stands with Israel and affirms its inherent right to defend itself and protect its citizens;

(g) condemns antisemitism in all its forms and stands with Jewish Australians who have felt the cold shadows of antisemitism reaching into the present day;

(h) reiterates Australia's consistent position is to call for the protection of civilian lives and adherence to international law;

(i) mourns the death of all innocent civilians, recognising the number of Palestinian civilians killed in Gaza, and the catastrophic humanitarian situation;

(j) supports ongoing international efforts to provide humanitarian assistance in Gaza and Lebanon;

(k) calls for Iran to cease its direct and indirect attacks on Israel, including through terrorist organisations the Houthis, Hezbollah and Hamas, all of whom are committed to the destruction of Israel; ...

(n) recognises the conflict is deeply distressing for many in the Australian community;

(o) condemns all acts of hatred, division or violence, affirming that they have no place in Australia;

(p) condemns the actions of those seeking to celebrate and promote the barbaric actions of terrorist organisations; and

(q) reaffirms:

(i) that symbols of terror and discord are abhorrent and unacceptable in Australia and undermine our nation's peace and security,

(ii) that undermining social cohesion and unity by stoking fear and division risks Australia's domestic security, and

(iii) the responsibility of each Australian, and visitor to Australia, to safeguard the harmony and unity that define our diverse society, especially in times of adversity.