| Source: Democracy Now! |
The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation’s (NATO) Washington Summit, held from 9th to 11th July 2024, marked the 75th anniversary of this nuclear armed military alliance which was founded on 4th April 1949 with the signing of the North Atlantic Treaty in Washington D.C. Continue reading NATO: Defence Alliance or War Alliance?
Photo: A father carries his children while trying to flee from air strikes in the city of Rafah. UNICEF/Eyad El Baba, Nov 2023.
In a recent interview on RN Breakfast, James Elder, UNICEF’s global spokesperson, described the devastating impact that Israel’s war on Gaza is having on children.
He reported how a UNICEF convoy carrying nutritional and medical supplies for 10,000 children in northern Gaza was prevented from delivering this humanitarian aid by Israeli authorities. Continue reading UNICEF: Israel’s war on Gaza and its devastating impacts on children
Photo: The Electronic Intifada – Al-Maghazi refugee camp in central Gaza after an Israeli airstrike on 11th May 2024.
In a press release published 3rd June 2024, Oxfam International highlighted aspects of the ongoing horror inflicted on Palestinian civilians, including women and children, by Israel’s relentless ground and air assaults in the Gaza Strip.
The press release opens with the following observations:
Israel’s relentless air and land bombardment and deliberate obstruction of the humanitarian response is making it virtually impossible for aid agencies to reach trapped, starved civilians in Gaza, Oxfam said today, as the latest ceasefire deal negotiations continue. Continue reading Oxfam: Famine risk increases as Israel makes Gaza aid response virtually impossible
News services have reported that during the night of Monday 1st April 2024, an Israeli airstrike killed six international aid workers and a Palestinian driver in central Gaza.
Those killed included Melbourne-born Lalzawmi “Zomi” Frankcom, aged 43. Of the other victims, one was from Poland, three were from United Kingdom, and another was a US-Canada citizen. Continue reading World Central Kitchen wants independent probe into Israeli attack on aid convoy
Al Jazeera English’s Listening Post: ‘”Who is the superpower? The US or Israel?” The absurdity of airdrops in Gaza.’
You’ve seen the images in the media coverage: the US air dropping aid into northern Gaza to feed hungry Palestinians. Headline news but also a textbook case of cognitive dissonance on Washington’s part – dropping food while continuing to provide Israel with bombs to pulverise Gaza. Continue reading “US airdrops into the Gaza Strip are pure theatre”
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A makeshift sit-in outside PM Anthony Albanese’s electoral office in Marrickville, has become a 24/7 protest action.
A visit to the sit-in on 6th March, found participants sitting on chairs with leaflets in hand, surrounded by placards and banners demanding an end to Israel’s genocide and 17-year-long illegal blockade of the Gaza Strip. Continue reading Sit-in continues outside PM Albanese’s electoral office in Marrickville
On Saturday 2nd March, over 100 people gathered in Katoomba to rally against Israel’s war on Gaza. Organised by the community action group, Mountains for Palestine, participants heard from a number of speakers covering various aspects of the conflict, as well as recent local actions aimed at protecting Palestinian life and rights in Gaza.
Proceedings began with the rally co-ordinator, Aaisha, providing an acknowledgment of country.
Minute’s silence
A minute’s silence was then held. As a preamble, Jenna from Mountains for Palestine explained that a minute’s silence was being observed “for all martyrs lost due to Israel’s occupation and genocide in Palestine.” Continue reading Katoomba rally calls for an end to Israel’s war crimes in Gaza
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
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
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
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
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
Following public hearings held on 11th and 12th January 2024, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) delivered its order relating to the ‘Request for the indication of provisional measures’ by South Africa in the case concerning its Application on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide in the Gaza Strip (South Africa v. Israel).
The International Court of Justice’s order which is immediately binding on Israel, contained six provisional measures. This compares to South Africa’s request for the ICJ to support nine provisional measures. Continue reading ICJ issues interim ruling in South Africa’s case against Israel for violations of the Genocide Convention
ICJ hearing: Blinne Ni Ghralaigh KC for South Africa. Press button to watch video..
On 28th December 2023, South Africa submitted an application to the International Court of Justice (ICJ). The application accuses Israel of crimes of genocide against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip in breach of the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (‘Genocide Convention’ or ‘Convention’).1
In its 84 page application, South Africa described Israel’s actions in Gaza as “genocidal in character because they are intended to bring about the destruction of a substantial part of the Palestinian national, racial and ethnical group”. Continue reading South Africa presents case to ICJ on Israel’s genocide in Gaza
A rally in support of Palestine was held outside PM Anthony Albanese’s electoral office in Marrickville on Thursday 21st December 2023.
The rally urged PM Albanese to reverse his current stance and vigorously campaign for an immediate and lasting ceasefire to Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza.
The event was organised by the local ATLAS Community & Cultural Centre and supported by numerous community action groups including Team Assange Sydney. Continue reading Rally for Palestine held outside PM Albanese’s office – 21st Dec 2023