Today I joined 30 members of federal and state parliaments who have issued this joint statement on Gaza. 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 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 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 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
Posted on: Mon, 28 Jul 2014 02:14:01 +0000
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