Supporters of Palestine residing on the Gold Coast have launched an online petition calling on Lord Mayor Tom Tate and the Gold Coast City Council to withdraw its Sister City agreement with the Israeli coastal resort town of Netanya.
Gold Coast Mayor Dennis Pie signed the Sister City agreement between the Gold Coast and Netanya in July 1987. Netanya is located just 100 kilometres to the north of Gaza City.
Residents have launched the online petition on Change.org demanding GCCC withdraw the agreement “until such time as the Israeli Defence Force implements a permanent ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and Israel abides by international humanitarian law”.
Spokesperson Jess D told Green Left: “More than 27,000 people — mostly women and children — have been killed in Gaza since October 7.
“We can’t let this Sister City agreement stand, while people are being slaughtered and are at risk of starvation and disease.
“Withdrawing this Sister City agreement sends a strong message that the Gold Coast Mayor and Council cares about the lives of Palestinians and supports human rights.”
[Gold Coast residents are urged to sign the petition at: https://chng.it/BfpcCqdhVV.]