Council is a signatory, among other Australian civil society groups, to a joint statement led by Amnesty International, calling on the Australian government to act on the escalating crisis in Gaza
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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.
1. 350.org
2. Academy Alive Australia
3. Act for Peace
4. ACT Muslims of Australia
5. ActionAid Australia
6. Addison Road Community Organisation
7. Amnesty International Australia
8. All Together Now
9. Anglican Overseas Aid
10. Antipoverty Centre
11. Arab Australian Federation
12. Arab Council Australia
13. Arab Theatre Studio
14. Australia Palestine Advocacy Network
15. Australian Centre for International Justice
16. Australian Council for International Development
17. Australian Friends of Palestine Association (SA)
18. Australian Lawyers for Human Rights
19. Australian Lutheran World Service (ALWS)
20. Australian Manufacturing Workers Union
21. Australian Missionaries of the Sacred Heart Justice and Peace Centre
22. AUSTRALIAN MUSLIM ADVOCACY NETWORK (AMAN)
23. Australian National Imams Council
24. Australian Palestinian Professionals Association
25. Australian Services Union Victorian Private Sector Branch
26. Australian Unemployed Workers’ Union
27. Australian-Palestinian Partnerships in Education and Health
28. Australians for Justice and Peace for Palestine
29. Bangladesh Awami League, Australia
30. BDS Australia
31. Beit Jala Palestinian Association - Vic Australia
32. Blue Mountains Peace Collective
33. Blue Mountains Permaculture Institute
34. Cairns & District Islamic Cultural & Building Trust
35. Cairns for Refugees
36. Canberra Palestinian Community CPC
37. Coalition for Justice and Peace in Palestine
38. Communities in Fellowship Together
39. Crescent Relief
40. Democracy in Colour
41. Digital Rights Watch
42. Family Individuals Teenagers and Youth Association
43. Free Gaza Australia
44. Free Palestine Melbourne
45. Friends of Bethlehem
46. Friends of Hebron Sydney
47. Friends of Palestine Tasmania Inc
48. Friends of Palestine WA
49. Friends of Sabeel Australia
50. Friends of the Earth Australia
51. Global Mission Partners
52. Hue: Colour the Conversation
53. Human Rights Law Centre
54. Hunter Asylum Seeker Advocacy
55. Hunter Peace Group
56. Islamic Council of NSW
57. Islamic Council of Victoria
58. Islamic Relief Australia
59. Islamic Society of South Australia - ISSA
60. Jews Against Fascism
61. Jews Against the Occupation
62. Just Food Collective
63. Just Peace Queensland Inc
64. Kufiyas Australia
65. Lebanese Community Council of NSW
66. Loud Jew Collective
67. MAPW Canberra
68. Marrickville Peace Group
69. Mary MacKillop Today
70. Melbourne Grand Mosque (MGM)
71. Mildura Base Public Hospital
72. Muslim Charitable Foundation
73. Muslim Legal Network (NSW)
74. Muslim Women Australia
75. National Union of Students
76. NSW Council for Civil Liberties
77. NSW Teachers Federation
78. Oaktree Australia
79. Our Race
80. Palestine Fair Trade Australia
81. Palestine Israel Ecumenical Network (PIEN)
82. Palestinian Christians in Australia
83. Palestinian Film Festival - Australia
84. Pax Christi Australia
85. Permaculture For Refugees
86. Queensland Muslims Incorporated
87. Rail, Tram & Bus Union
88. Refugee Advice & Casework Service (RACS)
89. Salut
90. Spirit of Eureka
91. Sydney Policy Analysis Centre
92. Sydney Policy and Analysis Centre (SPAC)
93. Sydney Stop the War Coalition
94. Territorians for Palestine
95. The Australian Foundation for Palestinian Children - Olive Kids
96. The Australian Palestinian Club
97. The General Union of Palestinian Engineers (Australia Branch)
98. The Independent and Peaceful Australia Network Inc
99. The Sydney Peace Foundation
100. Tomorrow Movement
101. Top End Peace Alliance
102. Tzedek Collective
103. United Muslims of Northern Territory
104. Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom - Australia