Health Workers 4 Palestine Adelaide - a new website!

Health Workers 4 Palestine Adelaide have established a new website.

Keep up to date with this dedicated and active group by going to their website. Contact them through their social media platforms and email

Who are Health Workers 4 Palestine Adelaide?

We are doctors, nurses, paramedics, allied health professionals, and other health workers who vehemently oppose the genocide, oppression and apartheid in the occupied Palestinian Territories.

We advocate for -- and aim to amplify the voices of -- our colleagues in Palestine, particularly Gaza, who continue to serve their community in spite of the atrocities perpetrated by the Israeli military.

CLICK HERE for the Health Workers 4 Palestine website!

Contact us

Facebook: HCW for Palestine Adelaide SA

Instagram: hcw4palestineadelaidesa

Linktree: http://linktr.ee/hw4psa

Email: hw4psa@gmail.com

WOMAD issues inadequate apology on 47Soul exclusion

Statement of Apology by WOMAD

Today, WOMAD Management issued a statement of apology regarding its decision to dis-invite the Palestinian Jordanian music group, 47Soul from this year’s WOMAD.

This statement is not good enough! In it, WOMAD takes no responsibility for the inherent racism and anti-Palestinianism in dis-inviting 47Soul on the alleged grounds that their presence would create an unsafe environment at WOMAD.

The message says nothing about Ziggy Marley's vaunted inclusion in the program after AFOPA launched a campaign in January to protest this and urge WOMAD to cancel him due to his support for Israel even as Israel conducted its genocide in Gaza.

The statement says nothing about the hypocrisy in the allowance by WOMAD of political messaging about Russia during a Ukraine band's performance, while attendees have been told by WOMAD security to “stop politicising” the event by holding up messages in support of Palestine and carrying Palestinian flags.

WOMAD's mistake has damaged its reputation. This statement does little to fix that!

From WOMAD website

Photos of backdrop slides during performance of Ukraine Band at WOMAD, and photo of the Ukrainian Kitchen at WOMAD

Emel Mathlouthi at WOMADelaide 8 March 2024

Emel Mathlouthi on stage waving a huge Palestinian flag to the cheers of the crowd who chanted Free Palestine!

Thank you, Emel!

See Emel at WOMADelaide on Sunday 10 March at 2pm Stage 2!

Scholars Unite: Urgent Call for University Action on Gaza

We are a group of concerned academics

who have co-ordinated an open letter, co-signed by 100 members of the University of Adelaide, University of South Australia, and Flinders University. In the letter (see below) we have outlined the Israeli-Government led scholasticide and plausible genocide, as ruled by the International Court of Justice, taking place in Palestine. This letter was emailed to the Chancellors and Vice Chancellors of all three universities today.

We have called upon our universities to take immediate action and today have also launched our letter on Change.org inviting academics and the wider community to lend their support.

Al Jazeera: How Israel has destroyed Gaza’s schools and universities

Open letter to South Australian Universities:

Scholars Unite: Urgent Call for University Action on Gaza

Adelaide, South Australia – Monday 26th February 2024

As the humanitarian crisis in Gaza reaches dire proportions, scholars from the University of Adelaide, University of South Australia, and Flinders University unite in a powerful call to action. With 36,671 lives lost or missing, including a staggering 60% women and children, and countless more injured, we cannot stand idly by.

The Scholars Against the War on Palestine (SAWP) campaign has brought to light the harrowing extent of scholasticide ravaging Gaza. Israel's relentless onslaught, sparing no educational institution, has exacted a devastating toll. With each strike, Gaza's intellectual fabric is torn apart, resulting in the tragic loss of 231 educators, 95 University Professors and scientists, and 4,237 students.

Israel's targeted destruction of key educational institutions, including the University College of Applied Sciences and Technology on October 19th, Al-Azhar University on November 6th, Al-Quds Open University on November 15th, and Gaza University on December 4th, 2023, have left an indelible mark of destruction. This relentless campaign of destruction culminated in the heart-wrenching obliteration of Gaza's final bastion of higher learning, Al-Israa University, on January 17th, 2024. Throughout this period of relentless violence, 90% of schools and 60% of libraries have been laid to waste, further exacerbating the educational crisis gripping Gaza.

Moreover, over 80% of those facing famine or catastrophic hunger worldwide are in Gaza. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) provides critical aid to two million Palestinians, yet essential funding has been halted based on unevidenced allegations from the Israeli government.

In a groundbreaking verdict rendered on January 26th, 2024, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) has unequivocally asserted that Israel, alongside all 153 state parties to the 1948 Genocide Convention, must urgently implement measures to facilitate the provision of essential services and humanitarian aid. These actions are imperative to alleviate the dire living conditions endured by Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

Australia's unwarranted suspension of UNRWA funding, devoid of substantiated evidence, undermines the integrity of this historic ruling. By perpetuating this freeze, Australia risks complicity in the perpetuation of genocide.

Four Norwegian universities have suspended ties with Israeli universities. In October 2023, RMIT terminated its relationship with Elbit and its subsidiaries.

In response to this urgent crisis, we call upon our universities to also take immediate action:

1. Terminate all partnerships with Israeli academic institutions involved in scholasticide.

2. Affirm solidarity with the ICJ ruling, demanding Israel prevent acts falling within the Genocide Convention.

3. Cease all collaborative activities with Israeli partners contributing to genocidal acts until the ICJ case is resolved.

4. Endorse the Australian government's plea for an immediate ceasefire.

5. Advocate for the urgent reinstatement of UNRWA funding.

6. Demand the immediate release of hostages held in Gaza and Israeli prisons.

7. Implement measures to support affected students and staff.

Our universities must lead by example and endorse these critical actions. As academics, educators and researchers, we have a moral obligation to speak out against injustice. We must protect educational institutions and the individuals within them. The world is watching. We must act urgently to uphold justice, human rights, and the rule of law.

The wider community have the opportunity to support this Urgent Call for University Action on Gaza.

See the letter with 100 ACADEMICS’ signatures

Media Contacts:

Professor Mohamad Abdalla AM

Director: Centre for Islamic Thought and Education

University of South Australia

P +61 8 8302 4575

E mohamad.abdalla@unisa.edu.au

Dr Sanam Mustafa

School of Biomedicine

University of Adelaide

P +61 8 8313 4101

E Sanam.mustafa@adelaide.edu.au

Associate Professor Alice Gorman

College of Arts, Humani?es and Social Sciences

Flinders University

P +61 428 450 418

E alice.gorman@flinders.edu.au

Dunstan By-Election Saturday 23 March 2024 - AFOPA Backs Greens Candidate

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