The AJDS commends the move by the Australian government to recognise the State of Palestine. This is something the AJDS has advocated since at least 2014.
Australia should also support international efforts to bring the conflict to an end. At this time, an initiative for careful consideration by Australia is the declaration and detailed recommendations of the United Nations High-Level International Conference, New York Declaration on the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine (29 July).
If Israel and Palestinian representatives accept the proposals as a starting point for negotiations, this appears to be a way forward.
The Declaration also states, "We condemn the attacks committed by Hamas against civilians on the 7th of October [2023]. We also condemn the attacks by Israel against civilians in Gaza and civilian infrastructure, siege and starvation, which have resulted in a devastating humanitarian catastrophe and protection crisis. There is no justification for breaches in grave violation of international law, including international humanitarian law, and we stressed the need for accountability."
The declaration is significant for Israel and Palestine, because it is supported by countries as politically diverse as the UK, France and members of the EU, Canada, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan,Indonesia, Qatar, and Türkiye. It brings international commitment and resources, including a peace-keeping force to the deal.
However, in the current circumstances in Gaza with an impending Israeli occupation, declarations are not enough to bring Israel to a ceasefire, or the negotiating table.
Australia should impose further sanctions, including a ban on members of the Israeli Cabinet, and a stop to any form of Australian military trade, or other relationships with Israel that adversely affect the human rights of Palestinians in Gaza and the Occupied Territories.
AJDS has outlined a range of human-rights oriented sanctions in a submission to DFAT several years ago. This submission also addressed abuses of human rights by either the Palestinian Authority or Hamas.
AJDS recently supported and publicly signed an Ad in Sydney Morning Herald and The Age which called to sanction Israel now.
