Twenty-seven Australian parliamentarians have publicly condemned what they have described as “the ongoing Israeli military bombardment and invasion of Gaza”.
The politicians, from federal and NSW Parliaments, representing the Greens and Labor parties, said Australia should support a United Nations inquiry into alleged violations of international humanitarian and human rights laws.
“We call on Australian politicians to support an immediate cessation of hostilities and a ceasefire deal which includes an end to Israel’s occupation of the Palestinian territories and to the blockade of Gaza.”
The politicians said the rockets fired by Hamas into Israel were unjustified and threatened Israeli civilians, but argued the Israeli Defence Force’s response had been disproportionate.
“In the last two days, Palestinian children have been killed at a rate of one per hour … collective punishment is not permitted under the Geneva conventions and is a war crime.”
The Israeli government has consistently maintained its actions in Gaza are in self-defence and directed at Hamas targets.
The politicians who signed the statement are: Maria Vamvakinou MP, Melissa Parke MP, Laurie Ferguson MP, Alan Griffin MP, Sharon Claydon MP, Barbara Perry MP, Andrew Giles MP, Paul Lynch MP, Jamie Parker MP, Lynda Voltz MLC, Shaoquett Moselmane MLC, David Shoebridge MLC, Dr Mehreen Faruqi MLC, Dr John Kaye MLC, Jeremy Buckingham MLC, Senator Claire Moore, Senator Nick Xenophon, Senator Christine Milne, Senator Lee Rhiannon, Senator Sarah Hanson-Young, Senator Larissa Waters, Senator Janet Rice, Senator Richard Di Natale, Senator Penny Wright, Senator Rachel Siewert, Senator Scott Ludlam, Senator Peter Whish-Wilson.
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has announced that the Abbott government will provide $5 million in urgent humanitarian aid to people in Gaza.
Ms Bishop said in a statement on Monday that the government was deeply concerned about the continuing violence in Gaza and said the funding would ''enable the (United Nations Relief Works Agency) to restore education and health services and NGOs to rebuild livelihood programs for communities''.
