Joint Statement: Australian Civil Society Statement in Solidarity with Gaza

This joint statement, led by Amnesty International Australia, is seeking organisational signatories and was presented in Canberra in late October 2023. Signatories are still invited.

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. 

Lead signatory:

  1. Amnesty International Australia

Signatories: 

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