The Australia Palestine Advocacy Network (APAN) urges federal representatives to use the upcoming parliamentary sitting period to sanction the Israeli Government, impose an arms embargo, and support international investigations into Israel’s war crimes in Palestine.
This follows an International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling on 19 July 2024 that Israel’s 57-year-old occupation of, and construction of settlements in, Palestinian territories is illegal, and that state’s actions meet the legal definitions of apartheid.
It also comes in the wake of a new 118-page report by Israeli human rights organisation B’tselem uncovering a systemic, institutional policy focused on the continual abuse and torture of all Palestinian detainees since 7 October 2023.
This abuse and torture includes “frequent acts of severe, arbitrary violence; sexual assault; humiliation and degradation; deliberate starvation; forced unhygienic conditions; sleep deprivation; prohibition on, and punitive measures for, religious worship; confiscation of all communal and personal belongings; and denial of adequate medical treatment.”
These violations of international law and human rights, combined with Israel’s ongoing genocide in Gaza, affirm the urgent need for the Australian Government to take immediate action to end the impunity it offers Israel, and ensure accountability for the rogue state’s atrocities.
APAN calls on all federal representatives to support sanctions on Israeli ministers and institutions facilitating and inciting genocide in Gaza, and apartheid and illegal occupation across Palestine.
APAN also calls on the Australian Government to impose an arms embargo and sever trade, diplomatic and military ties with the extremist Israeli Government.
Quotes attributed to APAN President Nasser Mashni:
The Australian Government’s unwillingness to impose sanctions on the genocidal Israeli Government – even while it has done so in response to international law violations by North Korea, Iran, Libya, Myanmar, Russia, Syria and Zimbabwe – reveals the most disturbing of double standards.
Israel is committing genocide and apartheid, illegally occupying Palestinian land, torturing, raping and abusing Palestinians detained without charge, and Australia still refuses to act to compel this rogue state to respect international law and human rights.
Where does Australia draw the line, when it comes to Israel’s heinous violations of international law, human rights and dignity? How much more must Palestinians bear before the Australian Government takes urgent, immediate and strong action against the criminal state of Israel?