An, initiated by Jews Against the Occupation 鈥48, demands Labor act in accordance with international law.
It levels serious charges against the government for ignoring the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Conventions (specifically the Genocide Convention, the Children鈥檚 Rights Convention and the Refugee Rights Convention).
鈥淲e had expected ethically coherent and legally appropriate actions from you in response to the unspeakable harm Israel has unleashed on Palestine,鈥 it said.
鈥淲e have been hoping and waiting in vain. Nothing in the past twelve months has propelled you into meaningful action.鈥
It states that 鈥渘o number鈥 of dead, maimed or traumatised children, civilians and destroyed infrastructure, including hospitals, homes and religious sites, 鈥渉as awoken any humanitarian impulse鈥 or 鈥減rompted any recourse to appropriate diplomatic response鈥.
鈥淵ou must be aware of the ongoing horror 鈥 You know, or should know, that the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) acknowledges activating the Hannibal Directive, thus deliberately killing many Israelis lest they become hostages; that no babies were beheaded; and that there is no verifiable evidence of systematic rape.
鈥淔urthermore, Israel refuses to cooperate with the UN body attempting to report on the horrific events of that day.鈥
Israel鈥檚 genocidal war on the Palestinian people did not begin on October 8 last year, it states.
The letter points out that Israel has made it clear it does not want a ceasefire and asks why the Australian government does not seem worried that its trade with Israel, including in weapons and through its provision of diplomatic cover, makes Australia complicit in Israel鈥檚 crimes.
鈥淎fter more than a year of prevarication and appalling inaction, do you deserve the benefit of the doubt?鈥
鈥淲e want to know why you have not implemented the most peaceful and effective way of bringing this hellish catastrophe to an end: a complete boycott, sanctions, and divestment policy on Israel.鈥
The conclusions from the open letter are obvious: it is demanding the government act, as 鈥淗istory will not absolve Israel, nor its allies, be they wilfully blind or not鈥.
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