The Greens want the Australian Government to step up action in support of the UN Security Council's call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

"We condemn the horrific escalation of violence that has resulted in the deaths of around 160 Palestinians including many children," Greens Leader Christine Milne said.

"The Israeli Government's bombing of Gaza and threats of a ground offensive puts the might of its military force against the Palestinian people.

Australian Greens Leader Christine Milne has raised deep concerns about the recent escalation of violence in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine.

"The Greens extend our deepest condolences to the families of all those affected by the violence, including to the families of the Palestinians that have died in recent days, and the young Israeli men, and Palestinian man, murdered earlier this month," said Senator Milne.

Greens Leader Christine Milne has expressed disappointment at a likely split within the Labor party, on the use of the UN accepted term ‘Occupied Palestinian Territories' for the illegal settlements built after 1967, which contravene the Fourth Geneva Convention.

The Labor party blocked a Greens-Xenophon motion calling on the Foreign Affairs Minister to publically acknowledge these facts.

Australian Greens Leader Christine Milne has spoken out against the increasingly weak position of the Abbott government regarding the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine over the occupied territories.

"This is an outrageous backdown by the Abbott government. It is inflammatory behaviour and at odds with the peace process," Senator Milne said.

"The use of the term ‘Occupied Palestinian Territories' is the accepted term used by the UN. The Israeli settlements built after 1967 are illegal. The settlements contravene the Fourth Geneva Convention.

The UN General Assembly last year proclaimed 2014 the International Year of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, yet illegal settlements continue to be built on the West Bank with little criticism from Australia.

Attempting to move a motion in the Senate this week, Australian Greens Leader Christine Milne said:

"It is disgraceful that when in Israel recently the Foreign Minister Julie Bishop questioned whether the unlawful settlements were in fact illegal at all.

The Senate: