The Australia Palestine Advocacy Network (APAN) welcomes today’s United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolution, which calls for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
This move signifies a critical and long-overdue milestone in the effort to halt Israel’s genocide of Palestinians in Gaza.
It also comes as the UN added Israel to its infamous blacklist of nations and groups that have harmed children during conflict, with the rogue state having killed more than 15,500 children and horrifically injured thousands more – many in ways that will impact the rest of their lives – in its genocidal attacks on Gaza.
It is imperative that Israel now complies with this unanimously supported UN resolution, and ceases its relentless aggression against the Palestinian people.
Israel’s persistent disregard for international court orders and laws underscores the likelihood that its acceptance of a ceasefire deal will be reluctant, prompted only by international pressure.
In this context, it is imperative that the Australian Government moves beyond words of endorsement for this resolution, and takes immediate, concrete steps to compel this genocidal state to accept the ceasefire deal.
The Australian Government must do so via a public commitment to support the International Criminal Court’s independent investigations into the war crimes of key Israeli figures, and a commitment to arresting those subject to warrants, should they set foot on Australian soil.
We also call for the Australian Government to impose robust sanctions targeting both the perpetrators of, and those ordering and inciting, these heinous war crimes as well as entities complicit in Israel’s genocide.
Furthermore, we call for the immediate expulsion of the Israeli ambassador and the recall of Australia’s ambassador to Israel, as statements of clear and unequivocal condemnation of Israel’s genocidal actions.
We also demand that the Australian Government imposes an arms embargo on Israel and does not approve the export of weapons or components where Israel is the end user.
The time for empty rhetoric and half-hearted gestures has long passed. The Australian Government must demonstrate its commitment to justice and human rights by holding the Israeli Government to account.
Quotes attributed to APAN President Nasser Mashni:
“The global consensus behind this ceasefire resolution is a stark indictment of Israel’s unchecked genocidal aggression.
“The world demands that Israel immediately ceases its relentless onslaught against Palestinians in Gaza – Israel’s compliance with this resolution is not optional; it’s absolutely non-negotiable.
“Australia has a pivotal role to play in ending Israel’s genocide in Gaza, and the Australian community is showing that it will not tolerate empty words and meaningless rhetoric.
“We demand the Australian Government demonstrates its commitment to international law and the value it says it places on Palestinian lives, by sanctioning Israel and cutting diplomatic ties with this rogue state.”