Palestine solidarity activists are organising to converge on Parliament House in Canberra from July 20-22 to demand Labor places sanctions on genocidal Israel.
The convergence organisers are seeking endorsements to encourage maximum attendance.
Free Palestine Melbourne, Friends of Palestine WA and Justice for Palestine Magan-jin, Palestine Action Group Sydney have endorsed the national protest as has climate organisation Rising Tide, as Australia is now shipping coal to Israel.
The three-day convergence will begin with a mass rally outside Parliament House on July 20, followed by a march to the Israeli Embassy. The next day groups are planning actions and discussions about campaign experiences with a view to creating a stronger Palestine solidarity movement. The last day, when the 48th Parliament opens, there will be another mass protest.
The convergence organisers are asking people to help others to get there via buses, train and car convoys. “Whether you’re coming with a group or solo, connect with others in your area to coordinate transport. Share rides, fill buses and travel in solidarity.”
Socialist Alliance Merri-bek councillor Sue Bolton, who led the national charge for councils to support Palestine, told Green Left that the three-day convergence will be very important.
“Labor has just given the United States the green light to illegally bomb Iran and it continues to give Israel cover and weapons’ parts. It must be forced to draw a red line and sanction Israel.
“The weekly protests, in some cities for 20 months, have been vital to keeping the genocide in Palestine on people’s minds.
“But the Palestine solidarity movement has not had the kind of institutional support that, say, the anti-war on Iraq movement had. It makes it even more important to use the opportunity to discuss how to strengthen the national campaign to force the government to draw a red line.”
Nasser Mashni, President of the Australia Palestine Advocacy Network, also urged Green Left readers to join the convergence.
“History will judge us all. History will ask what we did when a people were slaughtered in full view of the world. No one can say they didn’t know, the images, the reports, the screams have reached every screen and every conscience. “Now is the time to act. Together, we can send this simple clear message, the Albanese government must sanction Israel now!”
[More information about the convergence can be found here.]