Gaza

AI in Australia are asking people to write to the Australian Foregin Minister Stephen Smith, urging him to do his utmost to influence the UN to put pressure on Israel and Hamas to obtain an immediate seize fire. Please go here to follow AI's request, or email him at stephen.smith.mp at aph.gov.au.

My letter is below.

Dear Minister,

I am writing to express my grave concern at the escalating conflict in the Gaza strip and Southern Israel.

I urge Australia to take all available measures to encourage the UN Security Council and the international community take firm and decisive action to halt the violence.

The Security Council has a key responsibility to help ensure that the parties to the conflict respect international human rights and humanitarian law. It is imperative that the Council urgently adopt a strong resolution condemning attacks against civilians by both Israel and Hamas and demanding that such attacks cease immediately.

Israel is the strongest party in this conflict, that much is obvious. Particular pressure must be put on Israel to end the completely disproportionate use of violence.

Israel's president Shimon Peres said that Hamas needs a "serious lesson" and that they are now getting it. It is, however, the innocent civilians on Gaza that are paying the price of this supposed lesson. That is unacceptable. Israel must seize the attacks that are killing civilians on a massive scale and in brutal ways.

The Security Council should also urge Israel to lift restrictions on the passage of humanitarian aid into Gaza - medicines, food, fuel and other necessities urgently required to alleviate civilian suffering - and to allow humanitarian and human rights workers and journalists unfettered access to Gaza.

Humanitarian workers and journalists have been barred from Gaza by the Israeli military since early November. Their presence is urgently required to independently assess humanitarian needs and report on the situation on the ground, including abuses of international law. Their exclusion is absolutely unacceptable, and Israel must be forced to let them in.

The Security Council should also consider the deployment of international monitors. Civilians on both sides continue to pay a heavy price, which might be alleviated if international monitors were to be deployed. Their functions should include verifying compliance with international law by both Israel and the Palestinian administration in Gaza.

Sincerely

Ole Koksvik