‘Abandoning Our Friends’: Senator Raises Concerns After Australia Supports UN Ceasefire Call

Foreign Minister Penny Wong acknowledges Australia would have preferred the resolution to mention the Hamas attack on Oct. 7.

Israel's Iron Dome anti-missile system intercepts rockets launched from the Gaza Strip, as seen from Ashkelon in southern Israel, on Oct. 8, 2023. Amir Cohen/Reuters

Coalition Senator Dave Sharma has questioned Labor’s decision to vote for a United Nations call for a ceasefire in the Middle East conflict, claiming Australia is “abandoning our friends.”

Australia voted in favour of the U.N. emergency call for an “immediate humanitarian ceasefire and the ”immediate and unconditional release of all hostages“ while ”ensuring humanitarian access.”