Family First welcomes the deal to release some hostages in return for a ceasefire.

But sadly we also recognise that almost 100 hostages will remain prisoners of evil terrorists and that the Nazi-like Hamas remains in control of Gaza.

There can be no real peace while this is the case but freeing some children, women and men is welcome relief in this wicked Hamas-created dilemma.

Relief for Hamas’s human shields in Gaza is also welcome but their suffering is needless thanks to the cowardly terrorists who exploit them and those in the West who point the figure at Israel.

The response of Australia’s large Muslim population, whose leaders seem firmly on the side of Hamas, is of deep concern for Australia’s social cohesion.

Muslim leaders, the radical left and Labor and the Greens have consistently demonised Israel as if it was the cause of the war.

The ceasefire has been cautiously welcomed by Australia’s Muslim leaders, but their statements reflect a troubling moral equivalence between Israel and Hamas which must be called out.

This false narrative ignores the root cause of the conflict: Hamas’ Islamist-inspired terrorism and strategic objective to kill Jews “from the river to the sea”.

Hamas began this war on October 7 with an atrocity that shocked the world.

In a pre-planned act of horror, innocent civilians were murdered, women were raped, and women, children and men were kidnapped.

These crimes are indefensible, yet Australia’s Muslim leaders have focused their criticisms on solely on Israel’s response rather than condemning Hamas’s barbarism.

This failure to assign blame where it belongs—with Hamas—undermines the possibility of real peace in Gaza and a resolution to the anti-Semitism crisis in Australia.

Hamas Is the Cause of Gaza’s Suffering

Let’s be clear: Gaza’s suffering is the direct result of Hamas’ actions.

If Hamas were to release the hostages, surrender its remaining terrorist battalions, apologise unreservedly for the October 7 atrocity, and renounce its genocidal goal of wiping Israel off the map, the suffering in Gaza would end. Tomorrow.

Instead, as recently as yesterday Hamas was continuing to fire rockets at innocent civilians in Israel.

Hamas prioritises its concrete-reinforced terror tunnels and building a terrorist army to destroy Israel over the welfare of its own people.

Under this deal it will get 1000 or so criminals and terrorists, hundreds of whom are killers, returned from Israeli jails.

Undoubtedly they will replenish Hamas’s degraded military capability – although under the deal they are supposed to be required to live abroad.

Liberal backbencher Julian Leeser has rightly called on the Prime Minister to reject any from living in Australia.

Family First echoes this call.

Even Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, whose weakness and anti-Israel policies fuelled the anti-Semitism crisis, has acknowledged that “there can be no peace in Gaza while Hamas remains in charge.”

Australia’s Muslim leaders who want reparations for Gaza need to acknowledge this.

Gaza’s people deserve leaders who focus on their welfare, not leaders who exploit them as human shields in a relentless campaign of terror against Israel.

Generous welfare for the rebuild of Gaza will surely come, and Family First would even support Australia making a contribution, once Hamas is destroyed and Islamist ambitions for terror and destroying Israel are purged from the strip.

A Shameful Lack of Accountability

Statements from Muslim leaders, such as those by the Australian National Imams Council (ANIC) and the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils (AFIC), highlight the devastation in Gaza but fail to hold Hamas accountable.

Bilal Rauf, ANIC’s senior adviser, described Gaza as a “wasteland” and called for “reparations,” but made no mention of Hamas’ role in creating this devastation.

Similarly, AFIC president Rateb Jneid demanded an “international investigation” into Israel’s military actions while remaining silent on Hamas’ atrocities.

An investigation into what was being taught in the mosques of Gaza for the past 20 years would be a more appropriate course of post-war inquiry.

Hamas’ Terrorism Cannot Be Ignored

The lack of condemnation for Hamas’ actions is deeply concerning.

Where is the outrage over the rapes, murders, and kidnappings?

Why aren’t journalists pressing Muslim leaders for their views on Hamas’ atrocities?

Instead, the narrative focuses solely on Israel’s response, painting the victim of terrorism as the aggressor.

The reality is that Israel has not occupied Gaza since 2005. Hamas has had nearly two decades to build a prosperous society but has chosen instead to use its resources, including aid provided by Australian taxpayers, to wage war.

Blaming Israel for the suffering in Gaza ignores these facts and absolves Hamas of its responsibility.

A Threat to Australia’s Social Cohesion

This refusal to acknowledge Hamas’ culpability is not just a problem for the Middle East; it threatens Australia’s social cohesion.

By perpetuating a false narrative, some Muslim community leaders risk sowing division and undermining shared values of justice and accountability.

Australia’s Muslim leaders should join the broader community in unequivocally condemning Hamas and recognising Israel’s right to defend itself.

Only then can we have honest conversations about achieving peace in the region.

Conclusion

It is a tragedy that Gaza’s people continue to suffer, but their plight will not improve as long as Hamas remains in power.

Real peace requires the removal of Hamas and its hateful ideology.

Australia’s Muslim leaders must stop excusing Hamas and start demanding accountability.

Imagine if Australia’s Muslim leaders called for the elimination of Hamas, the disavowal of Islamist terror and the security of Israel.

That’s a vision that surely any religion of peace should promote. It’s a vision we could all get behind.

As the Family First Party, we call for moral clarity. The suffering in Gaza is the responsibility of Hamas, not Israel.

The world—and Australia’s Muslim leaders—must recognise this reality to pave the way for genuine peace.

As even Anthony Albanese stated this week, “Hamas is the enemy of the Palestinian people, not just the enemy of the state of Israel.”

We will all rejoice when some of the hostages are released.

The reality is there will be no peace until all are free, Hamas is destroyed, Islamism is renounced and Israel’s right to exist recognised.

Social cohesion in Australia remains under threat while ever our Muslim leaders are not clear about this.

Family First strongly opposes Senator Penny Wong’s unjust treatment of Israel, one of Australia’s most valued allies.

In the face of Hamas-instigated atrocities, including the massacre of civilians and the ongoing holding of hostages, Senator Wong’s decision to pressure Israel while effectively rewarding the real aggressors is both absurd and deeply troubling.

As The Australian editorial rightly points out, Wong’s comments “inevitably add to Israeli assumptions that the federal and certainly the Victorian governments were too slow to tackle anti-Semitic thuggery.”

Her words have furthered concerns about eroding Australian support for Israel, with The Australian warning of “ample reasons to fear that the Australian government’s support for Israel is eroding into ambivalence.”

Israel is a democracy defending itself against terrorism. Comparing Prime Minister Netanyahu’s government to Russia and China is, as the editorial highlights, “odious.”

Hamas, a designated terrorist organisation, instigated this conflict with its heinous attacks, yet Wong has focused her criticism on Israel, failing to address the true aggressor.

Family First echoes The Australian’s call for the Albanese government to “stand in solidarity with democracies against tyrants and their terrorists.”

It’s time for Australia to reaffirm its commitment to justice and support Israel in its fight for survival.

Family First condemns the Albanese government’s betrayal of Australia’s values at the United Nations.

Labor has damaged Australia’s reputation by supporting one-sided resolutions and funding UN bodies linked to terrorism.

Anthony Albanese and Penny Wong have embarrassed Australia.

Their UN votes are praised by groups that support terrorism and ignore Hamas’ atrocities on October 7.

This betrayal damages Australia’s Jewish community, our principles, and our ally Israel.

The government aligns with those who delegitimise Israel’s self-defence while turning a blind eye to terrorist violence.

Labor’s actions fuel antisemitism and empower extremists.

Backing one-sided UN resolutions and increasing support for the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) sends the wrong message.

The Palestinian General Delegation’s Izzat Salah Abdulhadi hailed these moves, saying they "send a powerful message to Israel."

This came after Australia voted for a ceasefire resolution that demanded nothing of Hamas.

Daniel Aghion of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry rightly called this an “immoral” decision.

"By calling for an immediate, unconditional, and permanent ceasefire in Gaza, the General Assembly is effectively demanding that Israel abandon the hostages to their fate," Aghion said.

Hamas’ atrocities on October 7 exposed its use of human shields and terror tactics.

Hamas has hidden munitions under schools, hospitals, and houses, using civilians as shields while committing unspeakable acts.

Israel has no choice but to defend itself and ensure Hamas is crushed, preventing further atrocities.

The loss of civilian life in Gaza is tragic, but it is a direct consequence of Hamas’ deliberate actions and refusal to prioritise its own people.

The Palestinians have been offered a state on multiple occasions but chose terrorism and the goal of destroying Israel instead.

Billions in foreign aid, including from Australian taxpayers, could have transformed Gaza into a prosperous region.

Instead, Hamas built terror tunnels, oppressed opponents, and squandered opportunities for peace.

James Paterson, Opposition Home Affairs Spokesman, accused Labor of "trading votes at the UN for votes in the inner city and western Sydney."

He warned these actions encourage anti-Israel extremists in Australia.

Albanese cannot claim to oppose antisemitism while backing motions that harm Israel and embolden Hamas.

The domestic impact is chilling.

Antisemitism is surging.

Melbourne University reported over 150 incidents on campus in the past year, with little accountability.

A Melbourne synagogue was torched, and anti-Semitic graffiti appeared across Sydney.

By supporting UN motions favouring terrorist-linked groups, the Albanese government legitimises these dangerous narratives.

Joel Burnie from the Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council exposed Labor’s hypocrisy.

"It calls for ‘immediate, unconditional, and permanent ceasefire’ – an outcome guaranteed to leave Hamas permanently in control over Gaza."

This inconsistency shows Labor prioritises political expediency over security and justice.

Family First condemns this betrayal.

Supporting resolutions that legitimise groups tied to Hamas sends a message that ideology trumps justice.

Australia’s Jewish community deserves leadership that stands firmly against hate and terrorism.

The Albanese government must reverse course.

Australia must stop funding UNRWA.

Australia must defend Israel’s right to self-defence.

Australia must stand for strength, justice, and truth.

Hamas must be destroyed.

Such evil cannot be allowed to exist on the face of the earth.

“The ratio of civilian to military casualties is the lowest in any conflict that I’m aware of, anywhere in the world.” – Colonel Richard Kemp