Australia, Canada and NZ say they’re ‘gravely concerned’ about Israel’s war on Gaza
The prime ministers of Australia, Canada and New Zealand have issued a joint statement calling for a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza
READING LEVEL: ORANGE
The prime ministers of Australia, Canada and New Zealand have issued* a joint statement* saying a “humanitarian ceasefire* is urgently needed” in Gaza* and that they are “gravely concerned”* about looming* Israeli military operations* in Rafah*.
“A military operation into Rafah would be catastrophic*. About 1.5 million Palestinians* are taking refuge* in the area, including many of our citizens and their families,” the statement reads.
“With the humanitarian situation in Gaza already dire, the impacts on Palestinian civilians from an expanded military operation would be devastating*. We urge* the Israeli government not to go down this path.”
The statement – consigned* by Prime Ministers Anthony Albanese, Justin Trudeau and Christopher Luxon – also said that Israel “must listen to its friends and it must listen to the international community*” and that Palestinian civilians* can’t be made to “pay the price of defeating Hamas*”.
This is not the first time that Australia, Canada and New Zealand have backed an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza.
All three were among 153 countries that voted in support of a UN* General Assembly* resolution* calling for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire on December 13 last year.
Still, the joint statement issued by the prime ministers of three countries with strong ties to both the United States and Israel is notable* in light of growing international concern about Israel’s planned ground invasion of Rafah.
Israel’s bombardment* in the enclave* has left more than 28,000 people dead, mostly women and children, according to Palestinian health authorities.
Australia’s Foreign Minister* Penny Wong has made one of her strongest statements yet on the ongoing war in Gaza, declaring a planned Israeli ground offensive* in Rafah would be “unjustifiable” and urged the Jewish state to “not go down this path”.
“The world is watching,” she warned Israel.
The Israeli military is planning an operation into Rafah, a small city at the southern end of the Gaza Strip which is currently sheltering* about 1.5 million Palestinians. Many of those have fled to the area since October 7, when Hamas, a militant nationalist organisation that controls Palestine, launched a terrorist attack on the Jewish state.
The attack began when hundreds of Hamas members crossed the Gaza border and attacked at least 20 Israeli communities without warning. The combined land, air and sea operation caught Israel – and the world – off guard.
While reports vary, between 695 to 1200 Israelis civilians were killed that day, another 1590 were wounded and dozens more were taken hostage in what has been described since as Israel’s 9/11*.
Israel responded immediately, with heavy air strikes targeting Hamas compounds* in Gaza. These first counter-attacks killed at least 234 Palestinians and injured more than 1600, but the death toll on both sides has escalated in the months since.
Senator* Wong said Australia strongly objected* to the Rafah offensive*, saying it would bring “devastation*” to the innocent civilians seeking shelter.
“Large scale military operations in densely populated areas risk extensive* civilian casualties*,” she said.
“Australia believes this would be unjustifiable*.
“Our message to Israel is – listen to the world; do not go down this path.”
Additional reporting by Kids News staff writers
GLOSSARY
- issued: announced something officially
- joint statement: message or announcement made together by multiple people or groups
- humanitarian ceasefire: a temporary stop to fighting in order to provide aid and help to people in need
- Gaza: region in the Middle East, specifically a territory along the Mediterranean Sea that is part of the Palestinian territories
- gravely concerned: very worried or troubled
- looming: approaching or about to happen
- military operations: actions or activities carried out by the military
- Rafah: a city in the southern part of the Gaza Strip
- catastrophic: extremely harmful or disastrous
- Palestinians: people who live in or come from Palestine
- Hamas: Palestinian political militant group that operates primarily in the Gaza Strip. It is considered a terrorist organisation by some countries
- refuge: place of shelter or protection where someone can seek safety, especially in times of danger
- devastating: causing great damage or destruction
- urge: to strongly recommend or advise
- international community: all the countries and organisations around the world working together
- civilian: a person who is not in the military
- consigned: signed together by multiple people
- notable: worthy of attention or consideration
- resolution: a formal decision or statement made by a group
- United Nations (UN): An international organisation that promotes peace and co-operation among countries
- General Assembly: a meeting of representatives from all member states of the United Nations
- bombardment: continuous attacks with bombs or artillery
- enclave: a small territory surrounded by a larger territory
- foreign minister: a government official responsible for managing a country’s relationships with other countries.
- offensive: a military action intended to attack or conquer
- devastation: widespread destruction or harm
- senator: a member of a legislative body, like the Australian Senate
- objected: disagreed or opposed
- extensive: covering a large area or amount
- casualties: people who are killed or injured in a war or disaster
- unjustifiable: not able to be defended, particularly in terms of morality, ethics, or legality
EXTRA READING
Australian boy, 10, writes of his ‘terrifying’ time in war zone
What is the Israel and Palestine conflict?
QUICK QUIZ
- Why do the prime ministers of Australia, Canada, and New Zealand believe that a humanitarian ceasefire is urgently needed in Gaza?
- What are the concerns expressed by the prime ministers regarding looming Israeli military operations in Rafah?
- How did Australia, Canada, and New Zealand show their support for a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza in the past?
- Why is the joint statement issued by these prime ministers considered notable in light of growing international concern about Israel’s planned ground invasion of Rafah?
- What message did Penny Wong, the Foreign Minister of Australia, convey to Israel regarding the planned military operation in Rafah?
LISTEN TO THIS STORY
CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES
1. Strong words
The wording of the statements by Australian, Canadian and New Zealand politicians contains many strong and emotive choices. Highlight or copy all of the words that have been used to emphasise the feelings of these nations to the Israeli government.
For each of the words identified, think of one less emotive choice and challenge yourself to think of one even more emotive choice.
Time: allow 15 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links: English; Civics and Citizenship
2. Extension
Write your own plea to a government about this or another matter you feel passionate about. Include strong and emotive language choices.
Time: allow 25 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links: English; Civics and Citizenship
VCOP ACTIVITY
BAB it!
Show you have read and understood the article by writing three sentences using the connectives “because’’, “and”, and “but” (BAB).
Your sentences can share different facts or opinions, or the same ones but written about in different ways.
What can you come up with?
Remember to use your VCOP editing skills to read aloud, edit and up-level.