Since Hamas attacked Israeli music festival goers and Israel responded with a genocidal attack on Gaza, Australian unions are, one by one, joining the global call for a ceasefire.
on October 16 called on Australian Labor to 鈥渆xercise all avenues of diplomacy to stop the bombing and the ground assault by Israel into Gaza鈥, adding: 鈥淭he international community cannot allow this assault to proceed鈥.
The said on October 17: 鈥淲hile the attacks perpetrated by Hamas deserve international condemnation, the actions of the Israeli Government cannot be justified in any way鈥.
It quoted from call for the international community to 鈥渄o their utmost to stop the bloodshed and avoid any further deepening of this humanitarian crisis鈥.
鈥淲e are appalled by the lack of leadership, both here and internationally, for failing to call out atrocities committed by Israel, having rightly condemned Hamas for its actions, and to call for an unconditional ceasefire. Calling for safe passage for humanitarian aid via the Egyptian border goes nowhere near far enough,鈥 the Federation said.
Federation also expressed its 鈥渄eep concern鈥 at NSW Labor鈥檚 approach which, it said, mostly unnecessarily fanned 鈥渢he anger and profound sadness of Palestinian communities鈥.
鈥淩acism, including antisemitism, has no place here or anywhere, but peaceful assembly and peaceful protest and the expression of solidarity must never be restricted by the state.鈥
Mark Diamond, the 鈥檚 national secretary said on October 19, the union condemns Hamas, opposes Israel鈥檚 occupation of Palestinian territories and supports the right of Palestinians to live without fear or discrimination.
The said on October 20 that 鈥渁ny resolution of the conflict requires an end to the occupation of Palestine, recognition of Palestine as a sovereign state, and an end to illegal settlements鈥.
It called for an immediate ceasefire, for Israel to end its siege of Gaza, and for food, water, electricity, and medical supplies to be provided to Gaza.聽It also said it supports the right for peaceful protest and expressed concern at the 鈥減otential curtailment of the right to protest on these issues鈥.
The (ASU) called on October 21 for an immediate ceasefire, and reiterated 鈥渢he union movement鈥檚 strong opposition to war, violence, and racism, including antisemitism and islamophobia鈥. The ASU (Victorian Private Sector Branch) joined the ceasefire call on October 27.
It called for an end to Israel鈥檚 occupation of Palestine and 鈥渁 just and sustainable peace in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions鈥. This includes removing illegal settlements, the withdrawal of Israel from all Palestinian lands along with the dismantling of the separation wall.
鈥淚n line with the ACTU鈥檚 commitment to a two-state solution with the security of borders for both nations, we call on all countries to recognise, without delay, Palestine as a sovereign state with East Jerusalem as its capital.鈥
The ASU added its support to protect the right to protest.
The (ACTU) on October 22 called for an immediate ceasefire.
鈥淭here must be an immediate de-escalation and ceasefire, and the creation of humanitarian corridors to allow humanitarian aid into Palestine unimpeded. Civilians must be protected, and civilian infrastructure such as hospitals must not be targeted.鈥
The ACTU聽reiterated the movement鈥檚 opposition to war, violence, and racism,聽including antisemitism and Islamophobia.
It called for an end to Israel鈥檚 occupation of Palestine and for a 鈥渏ust and sustainable peace,鈥 which includes an end to Israel鈥檚 illegal settlements, Israel鈥檚 withdrawal from all Palestinian lands and the dismantling of the separation wall.
鈥淚n line with the ACTU鈥檚 commitment to a two-state solution with the security of borders for both nations, we call on all countries to recognise, without delay, Palestine as a sovereign state with East Jerusalem as its capital. This will confirm the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination in a free and independent Palestine.鈥
The on October 24 condemned 鈥渁ny acts of war by any nation or group that attacks civilian targets, including schools and hospitals鈥.
It called on the Australian government to 鈥渟how leadership internationally and nationally鈥 by 鈥渃alling for an unconditional ceasefire and to ensure that humanitarian aid is urgently provided to those in need鈥.
The on October 26 called on Labor 鈥渢o use all of its influence on the international stage for the negotiation of an immediate ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict taking place in Gaza鈥.
鈥淭he indiscriminate collective punishment of innocent civilians in Gaza must cease immediately and negotiations for a peaceful resolution to begin. We support a free Palestine and the right for Israel to coexist under a two-state solution.鈥
The said on October 30 that it supported the ACTU and the International Trade Union Confederation鈥檚 call for all sides, and the international community, to 鈥渁ct for a just peace鈥.
鈥淭here must be an immediate de-escalation and ceasefire, and the creation of humanitarian corridors to allow aid into Palestine unimpeded. Civilians must be protected, and civilian infrastructure such as hospitals must not be targeted.鈥
said on November there must be an immediate ceasefire 鈥渢o prevent further escalation and any further loss of human life鈥.
It paid tribute to the more than 30 journalists and media workers now confirmed dead, including Roshdi Sarraj, a freelance Palestinian journalist who worked for the ABC鈥檚聽7.30聽program.
also called for a ceasefire on November 6.
[The piece has been compiled with the assistance of聽.]
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