David Shoebridge, a federal MP from the Australian Greens, told reporters on Tuesday that his central aim is “peace with justice for Gaza”, steering the conversation away from theoretical discussions about a two‑state solution. He made the comments during a press briefing in Canberra, emphasizing that the pressing need is to end the suffering of Palestinians rather than to label the conflict. The phrase “peace with justice” appears in his opening remarks and frames the rest of his statement.
Shoebridge declined to confirm whether he backs a specific two‑state framework, noting that the Greens party in the United Kingdom recently adopted a policy equating Zionism with racism and calling for a single Palestinian state. He said his focus is not on “abstract philosophical discussions” but on the concrete realities faced by people on the ground. By avoiding a direct answer, he signalled that his priority lies in tangible outcomes for those affected by the war.
Describing the situation in stark terms, Shoebridge said, “I see a genocide … I see a state with an incredible amount of military power, de‑housing and killing hundreds of thousands of people in Gaza and leaving two‑and‑a‑half million people without the basic sustenance for life.” He added that the West Bank remains under an “ongoing illegal occupation”, but he is not interested in assigning labels to that condition. Instead, he wants to concentrate on halting the brutality against Palestinians, a stance he says resonates with millions of Australians.
The MP stressed that achieving lasting peace requires “hard work, principle and policy” rather than rhetorical battles over terminology. He argued that any solution must be driven by both Palestinian and Israeli peoples, delivering security for all. “If that is a two‑state solution and it’s achievable, and that’s what the people of Palestine and Israel want, well, absolutely,” he said, before noting that the Greens would not limit themselves to any single model. The core issue, according to Shoebridge, remains the pursuit of peace that is paired with justice for the victims of the conflict.
Shoebridge’s remarks come at a time when the Australian public is increasingly vocal about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Recent protests in major cities have drawn large crowds demanding an end to the violence and urging the government to take a firmer stance on human rights. While the federal government has maintained a policy of supporting Israel’s right to self‑defence, opposition parties and civil‑society groups have called for more balanced diplomatic pressure. Shoebridge’s call for “peace with justice” aligns with these domestic pressures and adds a parliamentary voice to the growing chorus for humanitarian action.
In response to his statements, the Greens party released a brief that echoed his sentiment, noting that the world must assist in forging a solution that respects the aspirations of both Palestinians and Israelis. The party’s position paper reiterates that any viable outcome should guarantee safety, dignity and self‑determination for all peoples involved. No immediate legislative initiative was announced, but Shoebridge indicated that the Greens will continue to lobby both the Australian government and international bodies to adopt policies that reflect this balanced approach.
The next step, according to Shoebridge, is to translate the principle of “peace with justice” into concrete policy proposals, potentially including humanitarian aid, support for UN‑led peace talks and measures to hold parties accountable for violations of international law. He urged fellow parliamentarians to join the effort, saying that the Australian public is ready to back actions that move beyond symbolic gestures. As the conflict continues to evolve, Shoebridge’s focus on practical solutions rather than ideological labels may shape the Greens’ future engagement on the issue.
