Pascoe Vale electorate
Anthony CIANFLONE (Pascoe Vale) (14:49): (667) My constituency question is to the Minister for Multicultural Affairs. What is the Victorian government doing to combat racism and promote social cohesion in the context of the tragic conflict in the Middle East? The ongoing conflict in Gaza continues to very much break the hearts of many across my community, with the military actions by the Netanyahu government having led to the devastating loss of innocent Palestinian lives, with 36,000-plus Palestinians, predominantly women and children, sadly killed. I continue to unequivocally condemn all acts of violence against innocent civilians and have previously called on the federal government to support urgent measures that can help bring an end to this conflict through the release of all Israeli civilian hostages by Hamas, an immediate humanitarian pause for essential aid to reach Palestinian civilians, an enduring ceasefire that protects innocent lives and adheres to international law and support for international efforts to facilitate a lasting and enduring peace in the Middle East through a renewed two-state solution process. These heartbreaking events continue to impact many in community, like Alia, aged 13, from the Australian International Academy in Coburg, and many of the children who have written to the children in Gaza and the Middle East who continue to be impacted by this conflict. I stand against antisemitism and Islamophobia.