MEDIA RELEASE, 6 May 2019

AFOPA Statement on the escalation of hostilities in the Gaza Strip

The Australian Friends of Palestine Association (AFOPA) condemns the escalation of hostilities in the occupied Gaza Strip.

Some two million Palestinian civilians captive in the open-air prison that is the Gaza Strip have nowhere to shelter from Israeli air strikes bombarding their homes and neighbourhoods. It is reported that over 20 Palestinians have been killed by the Israeli bombardment.

Seven years ago the United Nations reported that the Gaza Strip will be unliveable by 2020 as civilian infrastructure in electricity, water, sanitation, health and education fail to keep pace with Gaza’s rapidly growing population.

Besieged by the inhumane Israeli blockade since 2007, and the Israeli closure of the occupied territories since 1993, the situation for Palestinian families in Gaza is a never-ending spiral of destruction and despair.

We, as proud Australians, have a moral responsibility to protect civilians and uphold the rules of international law.

AFOPA supports the ceasefire announced early this morning. AFOPA calls on the Australian Government to condemn the unnecessary escalation of hostilities in Gaza and to work to protect all civilians in the occupied Gaza Strip and beyond.

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For further information please contact:
Mike Khizam, Executive Officer, AFOPA
m. 0478 598310, e. secretary@afopa.com.au

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