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Palestinian Arabs

Australia's Parliament Condemns Israeli Actions in Palestine

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Mr. Zappia, a Member of the Australian Parliament, delivered a powerful speech on July 12, addressing the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He emphasized the plight of the Palestinian people, who have been subjected to Israeli military rule for 78 years. Since the 1947 UN resolution promising Palestinians a state of their own, they have been systematically dispossessed of their homelands. Mr. Zappia's speech highlighted the humanitarian disaster unfolding in Palestine, where two Israeli human rights organizations, B'Tselem and Physicians for Human Rights Israel, have labeled Israel's actions in Gaza as genocide.

Key Takeaways:

  • The 1947 UN resolution promised Palestinians a state of their own, which has yet to materialize.
  • Since 1947, Palestinians have been systematically dispossessed of their homelands, with over 700,000 Israelis now living in what was previously Palestinian territory in the West Bank.
  • The International Court of Justice declared Israel's occupation and settlement policies in the Palestinian territories to be illegal under international law.
  • Around 130 of the UN's 193 member states have recognized Palestinian statehood, with France recently adding its name to the list.
  • Gareth Evans, a former Australian foreign affairs minister, has exposed Israel's legal and moral breaches against the Palestinians.
  • The situation in Palestine has become a humanitarian disaster, with an estimated 60,000 people killed and most people having lost their homes.
  • The Netanyahu government's actions, including the blockade of Gaza and the restrictions on the flow of aid, have been widely condemned as breaching international law.
  • Calls for further sanctions against Israel and the intervention of UN peacekeepers are growing louder, while support for Israel is sinking.
  • The change in tone from the US is welcome, but more needs to be done to bring about a ceasefire and lasting peace.
  • The situation in Palestine cannot continue as it is, and future generations will look back with sadness, disbelief, and disappointment.

Statistics:

  • 78 years have passed since the 1947 UN resolution promising Palestinians a state of their own.
  • Over 700,000 Israelis now live in what was previously Palestinian territory in the West Bank.
  • Around 130 of the UN's 193 member states have recognized Palestinian statehood.
  • An estimated 60,000 people have been killed in Palestine in the last two years.
  • Around 90% of Gaza's Palestinian population has been forcibly displaced.

Sources:

  • Mr. Zappia's speech delivered to the Australian Parliament on July 12.
  • The 1947 UN resolution promising Palestinians a state of their own.
  • The International Court of Justice's declaration that Israel's occupation and settlement policies in the Palestinian territories are illegal under international law.
  • Gareth Evans' speech to the Parliamentary Friends of Palestine in Canberra on June 13, 2023.
  • Reports from aid agencies and aid workers on the ground in Palestine.

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