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 →

ICJ issues interim ruling in South Africa’s case against Israel for violations of the Genocide Convention

Israel & Occupied Territories, War Crimes,
Photo: Amnesty International – International Court of Justice – Click to enlarge

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 →

ICAN & ACF sponsor nuclear ban treaty petition – still open

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Photo: ICAN*

On 7th July 2017 an overwhelming majority of the world’s nations adopted a global agreement to ban nuclear weapons, known officially as the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW or Treaty).

The TPNW entered into force on 22nd January 2021. As a result, the third anniversary of this landmark Treaty will be marked on 22nd January 2024.

The TPNW has become a key component of international law on nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation. It is effectively the only international agreement with the potential to rid the world of nuclear weapons and the catastrophic threat they pose to humanity and the environment. Continue reading ICAN & ACF sponsor nuclear ban treaty petition – still open →

South Africa presents case to ICJ on Israel’s genocide in Gaza

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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 →

Rally for Palestine held outside PM Albanese’s office – 21st Dec 2023

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Photo: ATLAS Community & Cultural Centre

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 →

Blue Mountains rally calls for permanent ceasefire in Gaza – 10th Dec 2023

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Photo: Blue Mountains Friends of Palestine rally in Katoomba 10th Dec 2023

Numerous rallies around the country on Human Rights Day condemned Israel’s ongoing war on the Gaza Strip and renewed the call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire.

One of these rallies on 10th December 2023 was organised by the Blue Mountains Friends of Palestine (BMFoP) that took place in Katoomba. The event attracted around 80 people who initially assembled at the town’s old library site and later marched a short distance to Carrington Park. Continue reading Blue Mountains rally calls for permanent ceasefire in Gaza – 10th Dec 2023 →

Sydney rally calls for an immediate cessation to Israel’s war on Gaza – 26th Nov 2023

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Photo: Assala Sayara, Hyde Park, Sydney, 26th Nov 2023. Click to enlarge.

Many thousands gathered in Hyde Park, Sydney on Sunday 26th November to express their solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza that have suffered from Israel’s blockade, airstrikes and ground assaults since the attacks by Hamas on 7th October 2023.

At the time of the negotiated “pause” in Israel’s war on Gaza, the reported Palestinian death toll had exceeded 14,000, with 10,000 of these deaths comprising women and children. Continue reading Sydney rally calls for an immediate cessation to Israel’s war on Gaza – 26th Nov 2023 →

Francesca Albanese’s address to the National Press Club – International community, including Australia, is failing in its response to the Israel-Gaza war

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Photo: Francesca Albanese, ABC

In her address to the National Press Club on 14th November 2023, Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur for the occupied Palestinian territories, described the international community as failing in its response to the Israel-Gaza war.

Francesca Albanese also criticised governments, including the Australian government, for having “amnesia”, “myopia” and “living in an alternative reality” when asked about its response to the war, as the death toll from the conflict exceeded 12,000 people.

She said the UN is experiencing its “most epic political and humanitarian failure since its creation”. Continue reading Francesca Albanese’s address to the National Press Club – International community, including Australia, is failing in its response to the Israel-Gaza war →