Part 7/10:
Addressing the Gaza Conflict and Middle East Policy
Cash was critical of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's stance on the Gaza war, accusing him of failing to hold Hamas accountable for instigating the conflict. He lamented that Albanese's government has not directly blamed terrorists for initiating hostilities or called for an end to the violence.
While acknowledging Israel’s moral responsibility for protecting its civilians and seeking aid delivery, Cash insisted that Hamas's role and the need to pressure them into ceasing hostilities are not sufficiently emphasized in official statements. He lamented the Australian government’s failure to explicitly call on Hamas to release hostages and end the war, arguing this ambiguity prolongs suffering.