Month: December 2023

Salute the Heroes, Part I: The Journalists   by Jonathan Kuttab   As we get ready to celebrate Christmas, we think of all the people in Gaza and Palestine who are in no position to celebrate. War is hell. But, for some it can bring out courage and sacrifice, and people are accustomed to acknowledging… Continue reading Salute the Heroes, Part I: The Journalists

22 December 2023 Since the fateful year of 1948, the Palestinian people have been suffering persecution, occupation and dispossession. For us Palestinians life froze on 14 May 1948 when we were dispossessed of our homes, so that the Jews could declare the state of Israel on our lands. The source of today’s conflict dates to… Continue reading Suzan Wahhab

Reflecting on Issues     In the context of the current brutal conflict in Gaza there are several ways in which efforts are frequently made ‘to justify’ the actions of the state of Israel. 1.     Hamas’ attack on Israel on 7th October 2023 was “unprovoked”. 2.     “We know that Hamas is a Terrorist organisation that… Continue reading The Conflict in Gaza

Usman Khawaja has prepared a formal application to Cricket Australia and the International Cricket Council for permission to continue highlighting human rights in the Israel-Gaza conflict. The opener is facing censure from the ICC after being charged with breaching the world governing body’s clothing and equipment regulations for his black armband protest in solidarity with… Continue reading Andrew Wu

The Age/Najib Jobain, Jack Jeffery and Colleen Barr Rafah, Gaza Strip: More than half a million people in Gaza – a quarter of the population – are starving, according to a new report by the United Nations and other agencies that highlights the humanitarian crisis caused by Israel’s bombardment and siege on the territory in… Continue reading More than 570,00 people in Gaza are starving because of war: UN

By William Ton and Maeve Bannister Updated December 7 2023 – 9:35am, first published 9:29am Hundreds of students showed up outside Melbourne’s Flinders Street Station. (Joel Carrett/AAP PHOTOS) Students have again heeded the call of their peers to skip school as they turned out to block streets in Australian cities in support of Palestine. About 300 students showed… Continue reading ‘Keep fighting’: school students’ promise for Palestine

Amnesty International is deeply concerned for the fate and whereabouts of Palestinians from the occupied Gaza Strip detained by Israeli forces amid reports of mass enforced disappearances. On 16 December the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) declared it had received “numerous disturbing reports” from northern Gaza “of mass detentions, ill-treatment… Continue reading Urgently investigate inhumane treatment and enforced disappearance of Palestinians detainees from Gaza

Bob Carr among more than 50 current and former Labor MPs to sign letter urging Australia to examine its relationship with Israel More than 50 former and current Labor MPs, including the former foreign affairs minister Bob Carr, have signed a letter condemning Israel’s “domination” of Palestine and demanding Australia recognise Palestine as a state and… Continue reading Dozens of Labor figures condemn Israel’s ‘domination’ of Palestine and call for immediate ceasefire

(The Age, 21/12/2023) ( https://www.theage.com.au/culture/art-and-design/portraits-plastered-on-abc-melbourne-offices-in-gaza-protest-20231220-p5espf.html ) A series of portraits of Palestinian journalists killed during the ongoing conflict between Israel and Gaza were plastered on ABC’s Melbourne offices in an act of protest on Wednesday morning. The 40 portraits were created by 40 local artists, each depicting a journalist who has died in recent weeks.… Continue reading Portraits plastered on ABC Melbourne offices in Gaza protest

(The Age, 21/12/2023) ( https://www.theage.com.au/world/middle-east/hamas-leader-visits-cairo-as-talks-over-gaza-ceasefire-gather-pace-20231221-p5esvt.html ) Deir Al-Balah, Gaza Strip: Hamas’ top leader has travelled to Cairo for talks on the war in Gaza, part of a flurry of diplomacy aimed at securing another ceasefire and swap of hostages for Palestinian prisoners at a moment when Israel’s offensive shows no signs of slowing. Hamas militants have… Continue reading Hamas leader visits Cairo as talks over Gaza ceasefire gather pace