Monthly Archives: February 2024

Israel’s war on Gaza leading to catastrophic levels of deprivation and starvation

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Photo: RN Breakfast – Getty Images

In an interview on 29th February 2024, UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, Michael Fakhri, provided a graphic account of how Israel’s war on Gaza is leading to catastrophic levels of deprivation and starvation.

This interview follows a briefing on 27th February 2024 to the UN Security Council on food insecurity in Gaza. At this briefing, senior UN humanitarian officials warned that well over half a million Gazans are just a step away from famine. They warned that famine is “almost inevitable” unless aid can be scaled up immediately. Continue reading Israel’s war on Gaza leading to catastrophic levels of deprivation and starvation →

Survey finds 80 per cent of Australians support ceasefire in Gaza

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A  survey commissioned by a coalition of humanitarian aid agencies has shown that more than 80% of Australians are in favor of a permanent ceasefire in Gaza.

In an ABC News interview on 27th February 2024, Lyn Morgain, Oxfam’s CEO, emphasised that the survey results showed that the Australian community wants the Albanese  government to do more to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.  Continue reading Survey finds 80 per cent of Australians support ceasefire in Gaza →

Julian Assange’s last-ditch attempt to avoid extradition to the US

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The extradition case of imprisoned WikiLeaks’ founder Julian Assange was heard last week at the British High Court of Justice in London.

In what is seen as a last-ditch attempt, Julian Assange’s lawyers are seeking permission from the High Court to challenge the extradition order signed by then UK home secretary Priti Patel in 2022.

At the conclusion of the two day hearing on 20th and 21st February 2024, judges Dame Victoria Sharp and Mr Justice Johnson, reserved their decision. A ruling is not expected to be handed down until next month at the earliest. Continue reading Julian Assange’s last-ditch attempt to avoid extradition to the US →

AUKUS and the Marrickville Declaration

AUKUS Security Pact,

Meeting on 3rd February 2024 in Marrickville, representatives of more than 30 peace and community organisations endorsed the Marrickville Declaration, a document that highlights the dangers of the trilateral security partnership for the Indo-Pacific region between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States (AUKUS). Given the grave implications of AUKUS, the Marrickville Declaration commits the signatories to a public campaign aimed at getting the Australian government to withdraw from this pact.

Reproduced below is an edited version of a media release on the meeting and its outcomes prepared by Independent & Peaceful Australia Network (IPAN). The full version can be accessed here. Continue reading AUKUS and the Marrickville Declaration →

Israel’s violation of the Genocide Convention continues unabated

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Photo: Destruction of infrastructure in Gaza, Al Jazeera

On 26th January 2024, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued an interim order in response to South Africa’s application, lodged on 29th December 2023, alleging violations by Israel of its obligations under the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (Genocide Convention) in relation to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

The order handed down contained six provisional measures.  The first of these measures stated: Continue reading Israel’s violation of the Genocide Convention continues unabated →

Australian federal MPs express overwhelming support for Julian Assange – extradition appeal case to be heard on 20th and 21st Feb 2024

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During parliamentary proceedings yesterday, Independent Member for Clark, Andrew Wilkie, successfully moved a motion calling on the House of Representatives to recognise “the importance of the UK and USA bringing the matter to a close so that Mr Assange can return home to his family in Australia.”1

To their shame, all Opposition members present, except for the Member for Bass, Bridget Archer, voted against the motion. Nevertheless, the vote marks an unprecedented show of political support for Julian Assange by the Federal Parliament. Continue reading Australian federal MPs express overwhelming support for Julian Assange – extradition appeal case to be heard on 20th and 21st Feb 2024 →

The Labor government must immediately resume its funding of UNRWA

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On 26th January 2024, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) handed down its report on South Africa’s allegation that Israel had committed genocidal acts in its war on Gaza. The ICJ found that South Africa’s claim had plausibility. The ICJ also found that Palestinians in Gaza were facing a humanitarian catastrophe as a result of Israel’s massive air and land assaults on the besieged enclave since 7th October 2023.

Accordingly, the ICJ’s interim order required Israel to comply with the 1948 Genocide Convention, permit the resumption of adequate supplies of humanitarian aid into Gaza and act against those who were propagating genocidal statements.

Israel’s allegations

Coinciding with the release of the ICJ’s interim order and summary report, Israeli authorities made public its allegation that several UNRWA employees – a total of 12 in number – had been involved in some form with Hamas’ attack on southern Israel on 7th October 2023. No evidence regarding these allegations was publicly forthcoming. Continue reading The Labor government must immediately resume its funding of UNRWA →

IPAN’s Open Letter to Prime Minister Albanese on Gaza – Invitation to sign – Feb 2024

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The Independent and Peaceful Australia Network (IPAN) released this open letter to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on 1st February 2024.

It urges the Albanese government to reverse its decision to suspend funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), the primary aid agency supplying humanitarian assistance to the 2.3 million Palestinians in the besieged Gaza strip.

The open letter is reproduced below: Continue reading IPAN’s Open Letter to Prime Minister Albanese on Gaza – Invitation to sign – Feb 2024 →