Letter of Conscience

Dear Mr Smith,

I wish to express my concern for the suffering of the people of Gaza which has been caused by Israel’s blockade and escalated by the more recent Israeli airstrikes and military incursion into their land. I believe that Israel has been able to pursue policies which have led to the death and suffering of thousands of Palestinian people over many years because it does not receive strong enough condemnation from countries seen as its ?friends?, such as Australia.

I call on you, the Prime Minister and the Government to

  • pursue a much more objective, unbiased and well-considered response to the problems in the Middle-East, a response which respects the inalienable rights of all people
  • inform the Israeli Government that Australia strongly condemns Israel?s recent military action in Gaza and that such military action, which punishes a civilian population and which is very disproportionate to attacks on Israel, serves to make the world a much more dangerous place
  • pressure the Israeli Government to lift the crippling blockade of Gaza and to enter into direct discussions and negotiations with elected representatives of the Palestinian people (including members of the Hamas Government) in order for progress to be made toward peace
  • express to the representatives of Israel in Australia Australia?s strong condemnation of the illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, as they are major stumbling blocks to peace in the Middle East and hence in the wider world
  • pressure the Israeli Government to abide by any UN resolutions, Geneva Conventions or international laws which apply directly to Israel
  • show the same regard for the dignity and welfare of the Palestinian people (in the West Bank, Gaza, and refugee camps) that you show for the dignity and welfare of Israeli people.

Download the letter here