SA Unions Statement on Gaza

The South Australian Union movement is a movement of peace and solidarity.

In line with the ACTU, we continue to be horrified by the humanitarian catastrophe facing Palestinians in Gaza. We condemn the Israeli Government’s blockade of humanitarian aid, including food, entering Gaza, putting more than two million Palestinians at critical risk of mass starvation. The Israeli Government has sought to shut down the existing aid and distribution system run by the United Nations and humanitarian partners, and establish its own delivery mechanisms by the Israeli military, contravening fundamental humanitarian principles, and meaning large parts of Gaza go without supplies.

We strongly oppose the escalation of Israeli military operations in Gaza, with the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) launching ground forces into northern and southern Gaza and the intensification of air strikes, following the announcement of Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu that Israel had approved plans to seize control of the Gaza Strip and forcibly move hundreds of thousands of Palestinians.

We condemn the use of starvation as a weapon of war and urges Israel to comply with the International Court of Justice’s Order to take immediate steps to prevent acts of genocide, punish incitement to genocide, and facilitate the provision of basic services and humanitarian assistance to Palestinians in Gaza. Israel must immediately provide food and essentials to people in Gaza and ensure unimpeded access for humanitarian aid.

We stand in solidarity with workers such as health workers who are both dealing with the immediate risk to their own health and safety and of caring for those injured, dying and facing starvation.

We continue to call for the immediate release of all remaining Israeli hostages by Hamas and condemn their abuses of human rights.

We call on the Australian Government to take immediate steps to secure peace and compliance with international law by:

• Using all influence, pressure, and diplomatic measures – including the use of targeted sanctions – to achieve a permanent ceasefire and pressure the Israeli Government to stop its military operations in Gaza, immediately allow humanitarian aid to enter Gaza, respect international law and Palestinian’s human rights
• Coordinating with the United Nations, humanitarian organisations, and the international community to support the deployment of a humanitarian convoy to Gaza, and support the immediate, unhindered and safe passage of humanitarian aid.
• Ending all military trade (including parts and components) with Israel, and working with other governments to ensure that Australian exports are not contributing to breaches of international law
• Supporting international efforts to prosecute violations of international law.
• Establishing emergency humanitarian visa pathways and fast-track all pending visa applications for Palestinians fleeing Gaza.
• Recognising the State of Palestine

We call for an end to the occupation of Palestine and a just and sustainable peace in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions, including the removal of illegal settlements, the withdrawal of Israel from all Palestinian lands along with the dismantling of the separation wall. In line with our commitment to a two-state solution with the security of borders for both nations, we call on all countries to recognise, without delay, Palestine as a sovereign state with East Jerusalem as its capital. This will confirm the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination in a free and independent Palestine.

Implementing a two state solution is the path to lasting peace, safety and security for both the peoples of Israel and Palestine.