Embassy of the State of Palestine

  The following letter has been signed by a number of Australian politicians. It has been covered by the ABC and SMH.

25 July 2014

We the undersigned members of Australian federal and state parliaments, call on all Australian politicians to condemn the ongoing Israeli military bombardment and invasion of Gaza.

We call on Australian politicians to support an immediate cessation of hostilities and a ceasefire deal which includes an end to Israel's occupation of the Palestinian territories and to the blockade of Gaza.

We call on all Australian politicians to also support the United Nations Human Rights Council's decision to launch an independent inquiry into purported violations of international humanitarian and human rights laws in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem.

Over 1000* Palestinians in Gaza have been killed, since Israel started its military attack on Gaza three weeks ago. The United Nations says at least 75 percent of the dead are civilians, including an estimated 168 children. In the last two days, Palestinian children have been killed at a rate of one per hour.

The rockets fired from Gaza are not in any way justified and insofar as they threaten and harm civilians are illegal under international law. However, these imprecise rockets cannot be compared with the broad-scale bombing of Gaza by Israel which has one of the world's largest military forces.

Collective punishment is not permitted under the Geneva conventions and is a war crime.

Hospitals, places of worship, and a centre for people with disabilities have been among the Israeli military's targets.

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) is providing shelter to more than 102,788 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

The international community including Australia has a vital responsibility to put pressure on Israel to end its current military attack on Gaza and broker a solution of justice and peace.

*updated 27 July 2014

Signed by -
1. Maria Vamvakinou MP
2. Melissa Parke MP
3. Laurie Ferguson MP
4. Alan Griffin MP
5. Sharon Claydon MP
6. Adam Bandt MP
7. Barbara Perry MP
8. Andrew Giles MP
9. Paul Lynch MP
10. Jamie Parker MP
11. Lynda Voltz MLC
12. Shaoquett Moselmane MLC
13. David Shoebridge MLC
14. Dr Mehreen Faruqi MLC
15. Dr John Kaye MLC
16. Jeremy Buckingham MLC
17. Jan Barham MLC
18. Senator Claire Moore
19. Senator Nick Xenophon
20. Senator Christine Milne
21. Senator Lee Rhiannon
22. Senator Sarah Hanson-Young
23. Senator Larissa Waters
24. Senator Janet Rice
25. Senator Richard Di Natale
26. Senator Penny Wright
27. Senator Rachel Siewert
28. Senator Scott Ludlam
29. Senator Peter Whish-Wilson
30. Senator Sue Lines
31. Tammy Franks MLC
32. Graham Perrett MP
33. Senator Anne Urquhart
34. Terri Butler MP
35. Julie Owens MP
36. Lisa Chesters MP
37. Senator Gavin Marshall
38. Senator Anne McEwen
39. Senator Carol Brown
40. Senator Doug Cameron
41. Cassy O'Connor MP
42. Senator Jan McLucas
43. Lynn MacLaren MLC
44. Jill Hall MP
45. Jackie Trad MP

Any Australian politician who would like to add their name to this letter may contact the office of Melissa Parke or Senator Lee Rhiannon: melissa.parke.mp@aph.gov.au or senator.rhiannon@aph.gov.au.

To see the statement, please click here.