Liberty Victoria condemns the Australian Government’s failure to take any meaningful action in relation to Israel’s unlawful interception of the peaceful humanitarian flotilla headed to Gaza, which includes several Australian citizens.
Importantly, the civilian flotilla is a response to Israel’s ongoing blockade on humanitarian aid in Gaza. Recently, 109 aid organisations – including Save the Children and Médecins Sans Frontières / Doctors Without Borders – signed a joint statement that identified that record rates of malnutrition in Gaza is the result of Israel blocking humanitarian organisations from distributing life-saving aid.
Reports that Israeli forces have intercepted the boats and detained crew members are another shameful breach of international law.
It is insufficient for the Government to say that is ‘concerned’ about the safety of the Australian crew members or to ‘call on’ Israel to respect international law. The Albanese Government must take meaningful action in response to Israel’s ongoing defiance of international law.
At a minimum, the Albanese Government must:
- impose sanctions on Israel and the officials who have promoted or incited Israel’s actions;
- immediately cease military ties with Israel;
- cease all trade, financial and other economic relations with Israel that sustain its unlawful actions; and
- take action against any person in Australia who is responsible for international crimes.
These actions are overdue in light of Israel’s ongoing disregard of international law and human rights, and especially the UN Commission’s recent findings that Israel has committed genocide in Gaza.