Australia must reject US-Israel calls for genocide, ethnic cleansing of Palestinians

Feb 5, 2025

The Australia Palestine Advocacy Network (APAN) unequivocally condemns US President Donald Trump’s explicit endorsement of ethnic cleansing in Gaza, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s promise to continue committing genocide in the territory.

In a meeting with the Israeli leader – who is wanted by the International Criminal Court for war crimes – Trump has claimed the US will “take over” and “own” Gaza, while reiterating his proposal to forcibly displace Palestinians to other countries in the region – now arguing that this should be permanent. This is a clear call for ethnic cleansing.

Netanyahu’s pledge to “finish the job” in Gaza is a blatant indication that Israel intends to escalate its genocide, despite the current ceasefire.

These abhorrent statements are direct threats not only to the lives of millions of Palestinians, but also to the very system of international law and norms that should protect human rights and sovereignty.

The Australian government must take immediate and decisive action to show that it will not tolerate this dangerous incitement to war crimes and crimes against humanity.

The Australian government must immediately:

  • Publicly condemn these statements and demand accountability from both Trump and Netanyahu for their incitement ot violence and war crimes.
  • Demand the permanence of the current ceasefire.
  • Cut all military and economic ties to Israel that enable its illegal occupation, apartheid and genocide in the occupied Palestinian territory.
  • Impose sanctions on Israel for its genocide, illegal occupation and apartheid.
  • Expel the Israeli ambassador and use Australia’s diplomatic channels to pressure the US to halt this violent and illegal agenda and work with the international community and UN to pursue Palestinian rights, sovereignty and self-determination.

Comments attributed to APAN President Nasser Mashni:

‘Australia must not sit by in silence while the leaders of the US and Israel openly and in broad daylight incite genocidal violence against, and the permanent displacement of, Palestinians.

“Trump’s proposals are not just reckless – they are a calculated attack on Palestinians and on humanity itself. 

“By endorsing the ethnic cleansing of Gaza, advocating for Palestinians to be permanently displaced from their homeland, and putting the US’s stamp on the ongoing Nakba, Trump is complicit in crimes against humanity.

“Netanyahu’s ‘finish the job’ remark is all Australia should need to publicly declare its withdrawal of support from this genocidal regime.

“The Australian government is bound to uphold international law, and it must not shy away from confronting the menace of the US and Israel head-on.

“If Australia, and the international community, cannot prevent the US and Israel from following through with this plan, then international law and a rules-based order will have been consigned to the dustbin of history.”