'The evil committed by Hamas in Israel has chilled every Australian heart': PM Anthony Albanese

“The evil committed by Hamas in Israel has chilled every Australian heart,” said Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese as he condemned the Palestinian terrorist group’s “calculated, pitiless brutality” during a motion calling for parliament to stand with Israel and denounce antisemitism.

In his extensive address in the Australian parliament on the Israel-Hamas conflict, which has claimed the lives of more than 1,400 Israelis and 2,600 Palestinians since October 7, Albanese declared the Islamist militant group an enemy of both Jewish people and Palestinians. He also urged Australians to resist division at home.

“This was no act of war against the army of an enemy. It was the slaughter of innocent people. It was an act of terror," Albanese said.

The statement made by Albanese also recognised that Jewish people had been subject to hateful prejudice. He even called for the release of all Israeli hostages, acknowledged the “devastating loss of Israeli and Palestinian life” and supported international humanitarian efforts.

“I want to repeat the message. I have given to all Jewish Australians since the outset: You are not alone. Your fellow Australians stand with you,” the Australian PM said.

“Let us be clear: Hamas is an enemy – but not just of Israel. Hamas is an enemy of all peace-loving Palestinian people, who are left to pay a devastating price for this terrorism," he said.

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Hamas has been declared a terrorist organisation by Australia, the United States and the European Union for its long-running armed resistance against Israel.

Statement in Parliament on the attack on Israel and the ongoing conflict. pic.twitter.com/I2OtftvbSP

— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) October 16, 2023

In his address on Monday, Albanese reiterated Israel’s right to defend itself but joined international calls for the country to abide by the rules of war and protect civilian lives, as its military massed on Gaza’s border readying for a ground assault and Palestinians fled south.

A motion moved by Albanese in parliament condemned the attacks, along with acknowledging the loss of life on both sides of the conflict, as well as supporting “justice and freedom for Israelis and Palestinians”.

The Australian parliament also held a moment’s silence for victims of the conflict.

With inputs from agencies