Help stop the genocide in Gaza - vote Greens in Dunstan By-Election
AFOPA is not affiliated with any political party and has not previously endorsed a party or candidates in state or federal elections. The Dunstan by-election will be different and here is why.
Never in recent history have we witnessed on our TV screens genocide on the scale and severity of what is happening in Gaza. In just 20 weeks there have been 30,000 Palestinian civilian deaths and 70,0000 people injured and maimed. Children are having limbs amputated without anaesthetic and women are giving birth alone, without medical assistance, amongst the rubble. Millions of people are fleeing for their lives, many over and over again, as so-called safe zones become the next killing ground. Entire cities have been levelled to the ground.
We demand that the Australian Government takes immediate action to call for an unconditional ceasefire, reverses its decision to pause funding to the UNRWA, facilitates access to unfettered aid for Gaza, stops its military exports to the apartheid regime of Israel and ceases all cooperation with this regime.
Despite the highest court in the world ordering that Israel is legally bound to act to prevent genocide, the slaughter continues. While this is happening the Labor and Liberal party leadership, both state and federal, continue to show a level of political inertia and inhumanity that is beyond belief.
In contrast the Greens have consistently been on the side of justice for Palestinians. This is summarised in an ‘I’m Voting for Palestine’ table that compares Greens, Labor and Liberals, and in the Greens Demand a Ceasefire Now campaign.
In addition, AFOPA has written to all three candidates (Liberal, Labor and Greens) asking the same set of questions of each. To date we have received only one reply (click here or see below). This is from the Greens candidate, Katie McCusker. Ms McCusker’s responses to all questions are consistent with AFOPA’s position and demonstrate unwavering support for Palestine. We will provide you the Liberal and Labor candidates responses if and when received.
AFOPA believes that it is time to send a wakeup call to the major parties. We are asking you to help create a substantial swing in Dunstan to the party supporting Palestine. The major parties must learn that their inaction and complicity when confronted with daily atrocities committed against Palestinians by apartheid Israel will seriously hurt them at the ballot box.
Here is how you can help:
If you live in the Dunstan electorate vote for Greens SA candidate Katie McCusker and talk with your family, friends and neighbours about doing likewise.
Whether a constituent of Dunstan or not you can support Katie by volunteering to do such things as leafletting. Please call Alice at Greens SA on 8212 4888 if you’d like to help.
You can check for upcoming Greens events in the lead up to the by-election at https://greens.org.au/events/sa where you will find links to actions such as ‘Dunstan Letterbox Blitz’.
In solidarity with the people of Palestine at this incomprehensible time.
Christa Christaki
Chairperson
Australian Friends of Palestine Association
24 February 2024
_________________________________________________
The following IS Green’s candidate Katie McCusker’s responses to questions AFOPA sent to all candidates in the Dunstan by-election
Please find my responses to your questions as follows:
1. An immediate ceasefire in Gaza
The Greens have consistently called for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza and will continue to do so. I will continue to call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire.
2. An immediate restoration of aid to UNRWA
The UNRWA has been one of the most critical organisations who supply aid to people in Gaza, run refugee camps and ensure people can eat. It is deeply distressing and reckless that Australia is suspending funding to the UNRWA on the basis on an allegation without evidence from the Israeli government. I support an immediate restoration and an increase of aid to UNRWA.
3. Self-determination and statehood for the Palestinian people
I support freedom and statehood for the Palestinian people, as well as their right to self-determination.
4. An end to the illegal Israeli military occupation of the occupied Palestinian territories, including the 17- year blockade of Gaza
The Greens recognise that the state of Israel has occupied the Palestinian territories and dispossessed the Palestinian people. The expropriation of Palestinian land, water, airspace, and resources is illegal and must be opposed. It is our goal to remove the Israeli settlers and Israeli security and military forces from all the Palestinian territories, including the land and sea blockade of Gaza.
5. The provision of military arms (or components) to Israel by the Australian government and Australian businesses
In November last year, the Greens marked the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People by taking two actions in the Parliament. First, by tabling a petition supported by over 35,000 members of the public calling on the Albanese Government to stop fuelling violence by exporting military equipment to Israel, and second calling for a permanent ceasefire to stop the killing of civilians. In December last year, documents obtained by Greens Senator David Shoebridge revealed how the Future Fund has invested more than $600 million in public funds in global weapons companies, including an investment of nearly half a million dollars into the Israel-based Elbit Systems despite the Future Fund being banned from doing so. The Greens are pushing the Australian Government to work towards a UN-supervised removal of all weapons of mass destruction, including nuclear weapons, from all states in the region. I, along with all Greens, will continue to flight to stop investment in or provision of arms in the region.
6. The recent ruling by the International Court of Justice that it is plausible that the Israeli government and military is perpetrating genocide on the Palestinian people in Gaza
The Greens are calling on the Australian Government to support the International Court of Justice to fully and quickly investigate the sustained attacks on Palestinians. The Labor Government must also commit to backing any actions that arise from the ICJ’s decision. The collective punishment and displacement of civilians through the use of indiscriminate bombing, the deliberate blockage of food, water and other essential supplies amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity. In short, nothing can justify the violence we have seen and the Greens will continue to call on governments at all levels to support a permanent ceasefire, an end to the ongoing siege of Gaza and the illegal occupation of Palestine.
KATIE MCCUSKER
Candidate for Dunstan
The Greens SA
0421 829 458