22 July 2025
The Australian Centre for International Justice (ACIJ) welcomes yesterday’s Joint Statement signed by the Australian Foreign Minister alongside counterparts from 27 other countries calling for an immediate end to the war in Gaza and condemning violations of international law by Hamas and the Israeli authorities. But we must be clear: these words, while overdue, fall far short of what the gravity of the situation demands—and they cannot obscure the Australian Government’s long-standing failure to act decisively in the face of mounting atrocities.
For over 21 months, Gaza has endured relentless bombardment, the deliberate obstruction of humanitarian aid, and the systematic destruction of civilian infrastructure. International legal experts, UN mandate holders, the UN Commission of Inquiry, and humanitarian organisations have repeatedly sounded the alarm: these are not incidental harms, but genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity.
The killing of civilians, the starvation of a population through siege tactics, and the pursuit of territorial expansion in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT) are not just morally abhorrent —they are in direct contravention of international law. Notwithstanding this and the International Court of Justice’s January 2024 ruling that found a real and imminent risk of irreparable harm to the rights of Palestinians in Gaza—affirming that genocide is plausible—and its July 2024 Advisory Opinion declaring Israel’s 57-year occupation of the Occupied Palestinian Territory as unlawful, Australia’s response has remained manifestly inadequate in meeting its obligations under international law.
It must be stated unequivocally: any permanent forced displacement of the Palestinian people in Gaza is occurring as the result of a deliberate Israeli policy of systemic and widespread population transfer, which is not merely a violation of international humanitarian law, as recognised by the Joint Statement—it also fundamentally constitutes a war crime, as well as a crime against humanity. It further underscores the substantial and mounting evidence of genocidal acts being committed by Israel in Gaza.
We also express with deep concern that the Joint Statement fails to outline any concrete steps Australia and others are prepared to take in response to ongoing violations. Mere expressions of disapproval, absent consequences, serve only to embolden Israel’s longstanding impunity. Words without action are not enough.
We reiterate, the Australian Government must immediately:
- Impose a comprehensive two-way arms embargo on Israel. This arms embargo must include the suspension of all arms agreements and deals, and cover both the export, import and transfer of arms, including parts and components and other dual-use items. This military cooperation only serves to bolster the illegal Israeli occupation regime and its military forces.
- Impose targeted sanctions on individuals and entities responsible for violations of international law.
- The Australian Government investigate and prosecute dual citizens serving in Israel’s military and issue clear and unequivocal warnings to the Australian public on potential criminal exposure and legal consequences of participating in hostilities.
- Provide clear advice and direction to Australia’s Future Fund, Australian businesses, universities, pension funds, registered charities, and financial institutions to ensure they are not engaging in commercial or non-commercial activities that directly or indirectly further entrench Israel’s illegal occupation.
- Direct the halt of unlawful flow of investment from Australian charities that benefit the illegal settlement enterprise and Israel’s military.
- Publicly support the investigation and prosecution of international crimes committed as part of the Situation in Palestine at the International Criminal Court (ICC) and commit to fully cooperate with the Office of the Prosecutor of the ICC, in line with Australia’s international and domestic legal obligations.
Acting Executive Director of the Australian Centre for International Justice, Ms Lara Khider said:
“Australia’s response to the continued unconscionable atrocities in Gaza has been marked by significant and unjustifiable delay. While yesterday’s Joint Statement may signal concern, it is not a substitute for concrete action. Nearly two years into a crisis that has involved credible allegations of war crimes, crimes against humanity, and plausible genocide—Australia has yet to fulfil its obligations under international law, including those arising under the Geneva Conventions and the Genocide Convention.”
“If the Australian Government is sincere in its stated commitment to human rights, it must act with transparency—especially in relation to weapons transfers. Ongoing opacity around Australia’s military export and import arrangements with Israel is deeply troubling. A principled response to the commission of serious violations of international law demands no less than an immediate review of all defence cooperation and the imposition of a two-way arms embargo.”
“Public opposition to Israel’s illegal settlements is not meaningful without concrete action. This must include urgent review and regulation of Australian-registered charities and entities supporting or funding settlement activity that advances annexation and entrenches the unlawful occupation.”
“The well-worn path of cautious diplomacy has long exhausted its utility. The moment demands decisive, enforceable action. Australia’s credibility on the international stage depends on it.”
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