MAPW has been in regular communication with the Foreign Minister, Sen the Hon. Penny Wong, on the issue of the protection of life and the right to health in Gaza.
MAPW has today replied to Minister Wong’s most recent letter (17 January 2025) on the issues of:
- Civilian protection
- The protection of healthcare in Gaza and the West Bank
- The proposed Declaration for the Protection of Humanitarian Personnel
- Australia’s relationship with Israel and opportunities for action
MAPW has again urged that:
Australia uses the leverage available to us for the protection of the people of Palestine, including the use of our diplomatic, defence and trade relationships with Israel. We note with increasing alarm, bordering on incredulity, that Australia still maintains a Trade and Defence Office in Jerusalem, 59 active permits for the export of lethal military equipment to Israel (including for parts for the highly lethal F35 fighter jets), and MOUs with Israel on defence industry cooperation and cyber security, to name just a very few elements of our bilateral relationship.
Cooperation of this kind is not consistent with the expressions of concern that you have stated in the context of the current war. For as long as this discrepancy in our approach remains, Australia’s support for humanitarian relief for Palestinian civilians remains severely compromised.
Download Minister Wong’s 17 January letter to MAPW.
Download MAPW’s 5 February letter to Minister Wong.