Australian civil society statement in solidarity with Gaza

The following joint statement, led by Amnesty International Australia, is seeking organisational signatories. It plans to present the statement to the federal government in the week beginning October 23.

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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.

To sign on, fill in the form here.

Lead signatory:

1. Amnesty International Australia

Signatories:

2. ActionAid Australia
3. Australian Centre for International Justice
4. Australian Council for International Development
5. Australian Manufacturing Workers Union
6. Australian National Imams Council
7. Australia Palestine Advocacy Network
8. Islamic Council of Victoria
9. Loud Jew Collective
10. Rail, Tram & Bus Union
11. Tzedek Collective
12. Australian Friends of Palestine Association (SA)
13. BDS Australia
14. The Australian Foundation for Palestinian Children - Olive Kids
15. Melbourne Grand Mosque (MGM)
16. The General Union of Palestinian Engineers (Australia Branch)
17. Jews Against the Occupation
18. Act for Peace
19. Muslim Women Australia
20. Family Individuals Teenagers and Youth Association
21. Friends of Hebron Sydney
22. Islamic Society of South Australia - ISSA
23. Hue: Colour the Conversation
24. Addison Road Community Organisation
25. Friends of Sabeel Australia
26. Queensland Muslims Incorporated
27. Free Gaza Australia
28. Friends of Palestine WA
29. United Muslims of Northern Territory
30. Palestinian Christians in Australia
31. Palestine Fair Trade Australia
32. ACT Muslims of Australia
33. Cairns & District Islamic Cultural & Building Trust
34. Permaculture For Refugees
35. Academy Alive Australia
36. Blue Mountains Permaculture Institute
37. Friends of Palestine Tasmania Inc
38. Hunter Peace Group
39. Jews Against Fascism
40. Palestinian Film Festival - Australia
41. Friends of Bethlehem
42. Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom - Australia
43. National Union of Students
44. Australian Palestinian Professionals Association
45. Australians for Justice and Peace for Palestine
46. Coalition for Justice and Peace in Palestine
47. Arab Council Australia
48. Palestine Israel Ecumenical Network (PIEN)
49. Territorians for Palestine
50. Arab Australian Federation
51. Muslim Legal Network (NSW)
52. Lebanese Community Council of NSW
53. Arab Theatre Studio
54. Canberra Palestinian Community CPC
55. Marrickville Peace Group
56. NSW Teachers Federation
57. Pax Christi Australia
58. Australian Missionaries of the Sacred Heart Justice and Peace Centre
59. Oaktree Australia
60. The Independent and Peaceful Australia Network Inc
61. The Australian Palestinian Club
62. Free Palestine Melbourne
63. Kufiyas Australia
64. Islamic Relief Australia
65. Sydney Stop the War Coalition
66. Muslim Charitable Foundation
67. Just Peace Queensland Inc
68. Communities in Fellowship Together
69. Anglican Overseas Aid
70. MAPW Canberra
71. NSW Council for Civil Liberties
72. Human Rights Law Centre
73. The Sydney Peace Foundation
74. Australian Lutheran World Service (ALWS)
75. Mildura Base Public Hospital
76. Cairns for Refugees
77. Global Mission Partners
78. Beit Jala Palestinian Association - Vic Australia
79. Australian-Palestinian Partnerships in Education and Health
80. Sydney Policy and Analysis Centre (SPAC)
81. Crescent Relief
82. Blue Mountains Peace Collective
83. Australian Services Union Victorian Private Sector Branch
84. Mary MacKillop Today
85. Our Race

[To sign on, fill in the form here.]