Hamas Should Release ‘All Hostages’: Senior Liberal Senator

Rockets fired by Palestinian terrorists from Gaza City are intercepted by the Israeli Iron Dome defense missile system in the early hours of Oct. 8, 2023. Eyad Baba/AFP via Getty Images

Hamas is “playing for time” and should release all hostages, not just a couple, according to Australia’s Liberal-National Coalition parties.

The release of two out of more than 200 hostages was not any “great humanitarian gesture,” said Australia’s shadow foreign affairs minister, Simon Birmingham.

Israeli grandma Yocheved Lifshitz, 85, and Nurit Cooper, 79, were released by Hamas militants on “health grounds” on Monday. This follows the release of U.S. mother Judith Tai Raanan, 59, and her  daughter Natalie Raanan, 17, at the Gaza border on Oct. 20.

Senator Birmingham welcomed the release of another two hostages, but highlighted they should never have been taken and should all be set free.

Speaking on Sky News, Mr. Birmingham said: “Of course, the release of the two hostages is welcome. But let’s be very clear here. These hostages should never have been taken in the first place.”

“As part of the horrific attacks that Hamas undertook and all hostages should be released. Hamas is not doing a great humanitarian gesture by releasing just another two of 200 plus hostages.

“It is simply seemingly playing for time. And now, ultimately, all of the hostages should be released. Hamas stands quite rightly condemned for the attacks that they’ve undertaken. Israel, quite rightly, wants to see Hamas removed from positions of power and capability to undertake such terrorist attacks in the future, and we continue to support Israel’s right to do that.”

Liberal Party Senator Simon Birmingham on Feb. 6, 2023 in Canberra, Australia. Photo by Martin Ollman/Getty Images

The hostages were among at least 222 taken on Oct. 7 when Hamas launched an attack on Israel, murdering 1,400 people.

Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said Israel would do everything it could to free all the hostages safely.

“We will employ every available means to safely free the hostages, whether through military, intelligence, or diplomatic channels,” he said in quotes cited by Anadolu Agency.

“This represents the core purpose of this war, in addition to dismantling Hamas rule and destroying its capabilities. These objectives will be achieved.”

Overnight, Israel targeted Hezbollah terror infrastructure with strikes in Lebanon

“A short while ago, the IDF struck terror targets belonging to the Hezbollah terrorist organization,” IDF said on 23. Oct.

“Among them, a military compound, a military post, and an observation post used by Hezbollah. The strikes were conducted in response to the rocket and anti-tank missile launches from Lebanese territory today.”

Yocheved Lifshitz and Nurit Cooper (also known as Nurit Yitzhak) who were held hostages by Palestinian Hamas terrorists, are released by the terrorists, in this video screengrab obtained by Reuters on Oct. 23, 2023. Al-Qassam Brigades, military wing of Hamas/Handout via Reuters

Calls for Albanese to visit Israel

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is facing calls to visit Israel as part of his overseas travel blitz to the United States and China.

Mr. Albanese is in the U.S. currently at the invitation of President Joe Biden and plans to travel to China from Nov. 4 to 7.

Senator Birmingham encouraged Mr. Albanese to modify his plans and stop in Israel on his way back from the U.S. He said a visit by the prime minister, or a senior minister, would send a very strong signal of Australia’s support.

“It would be a very welcome show of support and solidarity by Australia for the prime minister to, on his way back from the United States, change plans and go via Israel. I know the government keeps highlighting only the permanent five members of the UN Security Council who have been,” Senator Birmingham said.

“But they are not the only world leaders to have visited. Indeed, the EU Commission President von der Leyen has visited German Chancellor Schulz visited. You’ve seen Romania’s prime minister visit. You’ve seen foreign ministers from a range of other countries as well.”

Australia’s former ambassador to Israel Dave Sharma agrees and said Mr. Albanese should be going to Israel “as soon as he can.”

“I can tell you that a visit by an Australian prime minister would be welcome,” Mr. Sharma said.

“And the lack of contact to date from Australia and from this prime minister has been noticed in Israel.”

As of Monday afternoon, the Foreign Affairs and Trade Department said they are still “seeking to arrange” a call between Mr. Albanese and Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Albanese’s US Visit Underway

In the United States, Mr. Albanese will be attending a state dinner at the White House with Mr. Biden and First Lady Jill Biden on Oct. 25.

On Monday U.S. time, Mr. Albanese laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the Arlington National Cemetery.

“I think it is a great honour and something that Australians, when they visit the United States, will often go, as I did, as a visitor, just to go and to pay respect to those who have given their life in the service of their nation,” Mr. Albanese said.

“But importantly, as well, because of the common values that Australia and the United States have, given their lives in the cause of freedom and liberty.”

As part of the U.S. visit, Mr. Albanese also revealed Microsoft will invest $5 billion in Australia.

U.S. Ambassador to Australia Caroline Kennedy said the announcement represented the best of “Australia and America working together.”

She described the opportunity to welcome the prime minister to Washington D.C. as an enormous privilege and noted both countries could work even more closely in future.

“I think starting his day today at Arlington National Cemetery and then being here really shows the power, the emotional depth, and the strength of our alliance,” Ambassador Kennedy said.

“We are partners in shared sacrifice in times that are tough as we are today, and then also, we look to a really bright future together where our people will be working even closely than they are and sharing the same values of freedom of ideas, increased productivity, accessibility to people who haven’t had a chance.”