Opened the debate
Faruqi argued that the Australian government had failed to protect its citizens or hold Israel accountable for the deaths of aid workers, including those from the World Central Kitchen. Faruqi stated that the Israeli ambassador had gaslit the public and denied harm caused to Australians, while conflating criticism of Israel with antisemitism. The senator cited data from the Israeli human rights organisation Yesh Din to argue that Israeli military investigations were ineffective, with less than one per cent of complaints leading to charges. Faruqi referenced a June 2026 Pew Research Centre survey showing that 79 per cent of Australians held an unfavourable view of Israel. The senator characterised the government's actions as incompetent and indifferent, arguing that the administration had done nothing to challenge Israel's conduct.