With each day that passes the humanitarian catastrophe is getting worse for civilians in Gaza and for the hostages kidnapped by Hamas. The unparalleled escalation of the conflict between Israel and Hamas and other armed groups has taken a devastating toll on civilians in Gaza.
We need to make it clear that Australians support a ceasefire, and want their government to stand with them and call for a immediate and permanent ceasefire, and unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid into the occupied Gaza Strip.
Australia has obligations to prevent genocide as reiterated by the International Court of Justice on 28 March 2024. This moment, as over one million people sheltering in Rafah face catastrophe, requires action from all of us. Australian Members of Parliament and Senators must publicly call for:
- Israel to not further it’s ground operation in Rafah,
- Israel to allow unimpeded humanitarian access to Gaza;
- an immediate ceasefire; and,
- a commitment from the government that they will not approve the export or any weapons parts where the Israeli Defence Force is the end user.
Israeli tanks have launched a ground incursion on the Palestinian side of the Rafah crossing, blocking a crucial lifeline for humanitarian aid for a population already facing famine and the risk of genocide, and illustrating the disastrous impact of a ground operation on civilians in Gaza.
Israel’s bombardment is rendering Gaza uninhabitable. The people of Gaza continue to suffer through relentless bombardment, destruction, and a UN declared hunger crisis of unprecedented proportions. There must be unimpeded humanitarian access to Gaza, alongside an immediate and permanent ceasefire. The Australian Government must do everything in their power to prevent genocide. They must commit to not approve the export of any weapons parts where the Israeli Defence Force is the end user of the export.
Whilst Amnesty International Australia welcomes Australia’s support for a ceasefire resolution, it is imperative that all MPs and Senators in the Federal Government use every opportunity and every power available to meet its obligations under international law.
Your MP is elected to represent you, so it’s important they know that you as a constituent want a ceasefire, unimpeded humanitarian access, and a commitment to not approve the export of weapons parts where the Israeli Defence Force is the end user of the export. Tell your MP, and your elected representatives, to reflect your those views in Parliament!
Email your MP and urge them to speak out and take action so that people in Gaza can live free from violence.