Key Points
- Donald Trump has said the US would take over the Gaza Strip and resettle Palestinians elsewhere.
- Katy Gallagher has said a plan involving forced displacement would not be "consistent with international law."
- Prime Minister Anthony Albanese had previously said he would not provide "running commentary" on Trump.
A senior Australian minister says the forcible displacement of Palestinians from Gaza is not consistent with international law, responding to questions around the US president's plan for the US to "take over" the enclave.
Trump has proposed Palestinians living in Gaza be "permanently resettled" and the enclave be turned into the "Riviera of the Middle East".
He told reporters: "The US will take over the Gaza Strip, and we will do a job with it, too," adding suggestions that Palestinians could be resettled in Egypt and Jordan.
The US President's comments were widely condemned, with Palestinians rejecting the idea and human rights advocates saying it would amount to ethnic cleansing.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said last week he would not "give a daily commentary" on Trump's statements and that Australia's position supporting a two-state solution remained unchanged.
On ABC's Insiders program on Sunday, his Finance Minister Katy Gallagher was pressed on the government's position on Trump's comments.
She reiterated the government's commitment to a two-state solution.
When asked whether the policy would be consistent with international law, Gallagher said: "If you're talking forced displacement ... that is not consistent with international law."
"We'll always make our decisions based on Australia's national interest. Obviously, it's an important strategic — America is an important strategic partner and our closest ally," Gallagher said.
Should Trump follow through with his plans, it could be considered a war crime and a crime against humanity under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC). The US does not recognise the ICC, but the ICC has jurisdiction over actions in Gaza.
