Australian parliamentarians statement calling for end to Gaza hostilities Published on Monday, 28 July 2014 14:32 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 Israels 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 Councils 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 1200* 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 worlds 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 militarys 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 31 July 2014 Signed by - 1. Maria Vamvakinou MP, Labor 2. Melissa Parke MP, Labor 3. Laurie Ferguson MP, Labor 4. Alan Griffin MP, Labor 5. Sharon Claydon MP, Labor 6. Adam Bandt MP, Greens 7. Barbara Perry MP, Labor 8. Andrew Giles MP, Labor 9. Paul Lynch MP, Labor 10. Jamie Parker MP, Greens 11. Lynda Voltz MLC, Labor 12. Shaoquett Moselmane MLC, Labor 13. David Shoebridge MLC, Greens 14. Dr Mehreen Faruqi MLC, Greens 15. Dr John Kaye MLC, Greens 16. Jeremy Buckingham MLC, Greens 17. Jan Barham MLC, Greens 18. Senator Claire Moore, Labor 19. Senator Nick Xenophon, Independent 20. Senator Christine Milne, Greens 21. Senator Lee Rhiannon, Greens 22. Senator Sarah Hanson-Young, Greens 23. Senator Larissa Waters, Greens 24. Senator Janet Rice, Greens 25. Senator Richard Di Natale, Greens 26. Senator Penny Wright, Greens 27. Senator Rachel Siewert, Greens 28. Senator Scott Ludlam, Greens 29. Senator Peter Whish-Wilson, Greens 30. Senator Sue Lines, Labor 31. Tammy Franks MLC, Greens 32. Graham Perrett MP, Labor 33. Senator Anne Urquhart, Labor 34. Terri Butler MP, Labor 35. Julie Owens MP, Labor 36. Lisa Chesters MP, Labor 37. Senator Gavin Marshall, Labor 38. Senator Anne McEwen , Labor 39. Senator Carol Brown, Labor 40. Senator Doug Cameron, Labor 41. Cassy OConnor MLA, Greens 42. Senator Jan McLucas, Labor 43. Lynn MacLaren MLC, Greens 44. Jill Hall MP, Labor 45. Jackie Trad MP, Labor 46. Malcolm Fraser, former Liberal Prime Minister 47. Shane Rattenbury MLA, Greens 48. Yvette Berry MLA, Labor 49. Bronwyn Halfpenny MP, Labor 50. Tony Piccolo MP, Labor 51. Andrew Wilkie MP, Independent 52. Senator Lisa Singh, Labor 53. Khalil Eideh MP, Labor 54. Lee Tarlamis MP, Labor 55. Johan Scheffer MP, Labor Any Australian politician who would like to add their name to this letter may contact the office of Melissa Parke or Senator Lee Rhiannon: [email protected] or [email protected].
Posted on: Fri, 01 Aug 2014 08:17:48 +0000
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