Letter To Send To The Australian Prime Minister and Relevant Senators on Behalf of Palestine
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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese must be contacted here: https://www.pm.gov.au/contact
The Honourable Anthony Albanese, Prime Minister
The Honourable Penny Wong, Senator (Minister for Foreign Affairs)
The Honourable Pat Conroy MP (Minister for Defense Industry, Minister for International Development)
The Honourable Richard Marles MP (Minister for Defense)
Email Heading: Urgent Call to Action: I Demand Immediate Ceasefire and Accountability for Israeli Violations in Gaza.
Dear Prime Minister/Senator/MP,
I am (again) writing to you as a concerned Australian citizen in response to the interim decision of the International Court of Justice regarding the case of South Africa v. Israel, which involves the application of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide in the context of the Gaza Strip. The situation has further deteriorated, and immediate action is required.
Israeli forces have now bombed a tent camp housing displaced Palestinians in a designated safe zone in Rafah, killing 45 people. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reports that more than one million people have been displaced in the south and north of the Gaza Strip since May 6. Over five per cent of Gaza’s population has been either killed, injured, or is missing. At least 3,000 women are estimated to be widowed, 10,000 children orphaned, 17,000 children left unaccompanied or separated, and more than one million people have lost their homes. The State of Israel continues to violate international law with impunity and in contempt of the most recent ICJ ruling from May 24th 2024, which ordered Israel to halt its military operation in the southernmost part of the Gaza Strip.
Given Australia's commitment to international law and human rights, I urge our government to take immediate and robust action in several key areas:
Diplomatic Efforts: We must exert significant and persistent diplomatic pressure on Israel and its allies to ensure full compliance with the provisional measures set by the International Court of Justice in the aforementioned case.
Legal Accountability: There should be a thorough investigation and, where appropriate, prosecution of any Australian citizens serving in the Israeli Defence Force who might be involved in war crimes or crimes against humanity, including genocide.
Arms Embargo: I advocate for the cessation of all arms trade with Israel and its allies. This includes a two-way embargo on weapons and weapon parts, even those that may be routed through third countries to Israel.
Suspension of Defence Contracts: It is imperative to suspend all government-supported contracts and partnerships in the defense industry that involve arms suppliers to Israel and its allies. This includes relationships with educational institutions funded by the public that engage with these arms traders.
Economic Ties: A review and suspension of economic relationships with Israel that could potentially support the alleged genocidal actions against the Palestinian people.
Diplomatic Pressure for Peace: Persistent and focused diplomatic pressure is needed on Israel and its allies, especially the United States, to cease military aggression in the Palestinian territories and to work towards an enduring ceasefire. More European countries recognise Palestine, including Ireland, Spain, Norway, Sweden, Cyprus, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia, Romania, and Bulgaria. It is time for Australia to join these nations in acknowledging the State of Palestine.
Prohibition of Certain Weapons: I urge you to demand an end to the use of internationally prohibited weapons, including but not limited to, carpet bombing and white phosphorus, and the practice of collective punishment.
Protection of Civilians: There must be a call for the protection of all civilians, particularly children, who have suffered immensely due to the ongoing conflict.
As Australia is a signatory to the 1948 Genocide Convention, it is our legal and moral obligation to uphold the articles within and actively safeguard the lives of the Palestinian people, as emphasised by the International Court of Justice. Failure to take decisive action risks implicating Australia as complicit or supportive of the alleged genocide.
The eyes of Australian citizens and the global community are upon us, imploring the Australian government to act decisively and with urgency to halt these grave injustices and to call for an immediate ceasefire.
Respectfully,
[Your Name]