Sydney: An Australian rights group has called on Prime Minister Antony Albanese's government to push Israel to stop its ongoing actions in Gaza and the occupied West Bank, which they refer to as genocide and apartheid against Palestinians. The Australia Palestine Advocacy Network (APAN) has released a statement urging Canberra to halt "all" trade and diplomatic relations with Israel, accusing it of continuing violence in Gaza that violates a ceasefire, as well as actions in the West Bank.
According to Anadolu Agency, Israeli forces have killed 10 people and injured dozens in a military operation in Jenin, using Apache helicopters and engaging in widespread violence. The statement by APAN also highlights that Israeli settlers, under military protection, have been setting fire to Palestinian homes, vehicles, and businesses, describing it as a coordinated campaign of "ethnic cleansing."
The statement further condemns recent Israeli actions following a ceasefire violation, where Israeli snipers reportedly killed a Palestinian child in Rafah and shot another individual attempting to reach the child. APAN is urging the Australian government to impose sanctions on Israeli officials and entities accountable for these activities.
The advocacy group is also calling for Australia to join international efforts to legally hold Israel accountable for its alleged genocide and apartheid, advocating for Palestinian "justice, liberation, and equality." APAN insists that the Australian government must cease its support for what it describes as Israel's war crimes, citing international law obligations.
Tensions have escalated in the occupied West Bank due to what is described as Israel's genocidal war on the Gaza Strip, resulting in the deaths of at least 47,000 people, primarily women and children, and injuries to more than 110,700 since October 7, 2023. In the West Bank, at least 870 Palestinians have reportedly been killed and over 6,700 injured by Israeli military actions, as reported by the Palestinian Health Ministry.
In a separate incident, Australian police have detained a second suspect in connection to an attempted arson attack on a synagogue in Sydney earlier this month. The 37-year-old man was arrested by detectives at a hotel on Pyrmont Bridge Road in Pyrmont on Thursday.