19 October 2023
Australian civil society statement in solidarity with Gaza
We, the undersigned, express our alarm about the unfolding crisis in Gaza.
Australia, and the whole international community, must immediately call for a ceasefire and for an end to the targeting of civilians in Gaza.
We express our concern about all violations of international law. We mourn the killing of civilians, Palestinian and Israeli.
Under international humanitarian law (the laws of war) parties to a conflict have a clear obligation to protect the lives of civilians. Israel’s attacks on Gaza as well as their complete blockade of Gaza are clearly in breach of international law.
It is civilians who are paying the heaviest price in this war. It is civilians who always pay the heaviest price in war. Already, thousands of civilians have died.
This is the sixth military action in Gaza between Israel and Palestinian armed groups since 2007. A 16 year old in Gaza will have witnessed six wars in their life.
In recent days, Israeli air strikes have pounded Gaza, striking a residential building in al-Zeitoun neighbourhood, which killed 15 members of the same family, including seven children – five siblings and their two cousins, in addition to their elderly grandparents; the destruction of Burj Palestine, a high-rise building in al-Rimal neighbourhood in Gaza; and the bombing of a crowded market street in Jabalia refugee camp, which killed at least 69 people, including at least 15 children. It has been confirmed that Israel has used banned white phosphorus munitions.
The Israeli Government’s cutting off of water, food, fuel, and electricity to Gaza amounts to collective punishment, and is a war crime. It is cruel and inhumane.
As the crisis unfolds and civilians continue to pay the price, Australia, and the whole international community, must immediately call for a ceasefire and for an end to the targeting of civilians.
The international community must intervene and call for the Israeli security forces to make every effort to protect the lives of civilians. Australia must condemn all war crimes, regardless of the perpetrator.
The international community must not grant Israel impunity to disregard international human rights law.
The Australian government must continue to call for the protection of civilians.
To sign on, fill in the form here.
Lead signatory:
- Amnesty International Australia
Signatories:
- ActionAid Australia
- Australian Centre for International Justice
- Australian Council for International Development
- Australian Manufacturing Workers Union
- Australian National Imams Council
- Australia Palestine Advocacy Network
- Islamic Council of Victoria
- Loud Jew Collective
- Rail, Tram & Bus Union
- Tzedek Collective
- Australian Friends of Palestine Association (SA)
- BDS Australia
- The Australian Foundation for Palestinian Children – Olive Kids
- Melbourne Grand Mosque (MGM)
- The General Union of Palestinian Engineers (Australia Branch)
- Jews Against the Occupation
- Act for Peace
- Muslim Women Australia
- Family Individuals Teenagers and Youth Association
- Friends of Hebron Sydney
- Islamic Society of South Australia – ISSA
- Hue: Colour the Conversation
- Addison Road Community Organisation
- Friends of Sabeel Australia
- Queensland Muslims Incorporated
- Free Gaza Australia
- Friends of Palestine WA
- United Muslims of Northern Territory
- Palestinian Christians in Australia
- Palestine Fair Trade Australia
- ACT Muslims of Australia
- Cairns & District Islamic Cultural & Building Trust
- Permaculture For Refugees
- Academy Alive Australia
- Blue Mountains Permaculture Institute
- Friends of Palestine Tasmania Inc
- Hunter Peace Group
- Jews Against Fascism
- Palestinian Film Festival – Australia
- Friends of Bethlehem
- Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom – Australia
- National Union of Students
- Australian Palestinian Professionals Association
- Australians for Justice and Peace for Palestine
- Coalition for Justice and Peace in Palestine
- Arab Council Australia
- Palestine Israel Ecumenical Network (PIEN)
- Territorians for Palestine
- Arab Australian Federation
- Muslim Legal Network (NSW)
- Lebanese Community Council of NSW
- Arab Theatre Studio
- Canberra Palestinian Community CPC
- Marrickville Peace Group
- NSW Teachers Federation
- Pax Christi Australia
- Australian Missionaries of the Sacred Heart Justice and Peace Centre
- Oaktree Australia
- The Independent and Peaceful Australia Network Inc
- The Australian Palestinian Club
- Free Palestine Melbourne
- Kufiyas Australia
- Islamic Relief Australia
- Sydney Stop the War Coalition
- Muslim Charitable Foundation
- Just Peace Queensland Inc
- Communities in Fellowship Together
- Anglican Overseas Aid
- MAPW Canberra
- NSW Council for Civil Liberties
- Human Rights Law Centre
- The Sydney Peace Foundation
- Australian Lutheran World Service (ALWS)
- Mildura Base Public Hospital
- Cairns for Refugees
- Global Mission Partners
- Beit Jala Palestinian Association – Vic Australia
- Australian-Palestinian Partnerships in Education and Health
- Sydney Policy and Analysis Centre (SPAC)
- Crescent Relief
- Blue Mountains Peace Collective
- Australian Services Union Victorian Private Sector Branch
- Mary MacKillop Today
- Our Race
- Antipoverty Centre
- Australian Unemployed Workers’ Union
- Digital Rights Watch
NB: we will be adding signatories manually, so after you fill in the form it might be a little while before your organisational name appears.
To sign on, fill in the form here.
Image credit: Gaza City destroyed by Israeli bombing, Shadi Tabatibi/ Reuters
