Senator BIRMINGHAM (South Australia—Minister for Finance, Vice-President of the Executive Council and Leader of the Government in the Senate) (15:17): We urge all that are involved in the current chain of violent events across Israel, Jerusalem, Gaza and the West Bank to cease provocations, to maintain restraint, to de-escalate the current exchange of fire and to halt the violence. The rocket attacks from Gaza into Israel are never justified and represent indiscriminate acts that fuel the cycle of violence and bloodshed. They must cease. We do note that Israel, like any state, always has a right to self-defence under the UN charter. That does not change the government's position in relation to the long-term importance of discussion between the parties and ensuring that the parties avoid all measures and matters that can escalate the chance of conflict and violence. Senator Rice: A point of order on direct relevance, again. Again, it's useful background information, but my question was whether these actions that we are talking about undermine progress towards a two-state solution and whether the government recognises that settlements in occupied Palestine are illegal under international law. The PRESIDENT: Senator Rice, I take your point. It was a question regarding the activities of one particular party. I will remind the minister of the question; he has 14 seconds remaining. Senator BIRMINGHAM: I stress again: the current violence, the current disruption, firmly undermines progress towards a two-state solution. It undermines peace and it threatens lives. The government urges parties to desist from such violence and to return to discussions. The PRESIDENT: Senator Rice, a final supplementary question.