Here is an excellent resource for Australians to use to write to their Federal politicians protesting their inaction about the Israeli genocide of Palestinians: https://apan.org.au/wp-content/uploads/MP-ENGAGEMENT-TOOLKIT-3.pdf

To: Mr Rick Wilson, MP.

I live in Denmark WA and am born and bred in the WA wheatbelt, where my family farmed at Wagin. After working as an agricultural scientist I now am a full time artist. During my Agricultural Science studies in the 1980s I worked with international students from several countries of the Middle East, and became interested in the region after that. My grandparents travelled to the Holy Land in their retirement and brought back souvenirs from there, along with wonderful slide shows of the sights they had seen. I have also had fellow students and work colleagues, as well as parents of my children’s friends, who are Jewish. My daughter attended friends’ Bat Mitzvahs when she was in high school.

For these personal reasons, and due to being raised by parents who were motivated by their experience of World War II to support peace and good relations between different peoples, I am horrified by the unfolding genocide in Palestine, perpetrated by Israel (as established by the International Courts). Other members of my local community feel the same. I have been part a group of concerned people who held a weekly vigil in support of Palestine. We have held a movie night, showing ‘Where Olive Trees Weep’, to raise funds for Gazans.

It seemed clear to me, from October 7 2023, that Israel would have an extreme response to the violence and hostage taking of Hamas on that day. The conditions for Palestinians have been steadily worsening since the Oslo Accord of the nineties, and in particular since the building of walls and checkpoints has greatly escalated the apartheid-like wielding of power and privilege by Israelis over Palestinians. These worsening conditions, as well as increasingly racist rhetoric, have been deliberately pursued by Israeli politicians and the military, with the aim of driving Palestinians off their land and enlarging the illegal settlements.

What I have witnessed, via Instagram and podcasts, directly from Gazans, United Nations personnel, NGO staff and volunteers has been paralysingly shocking.

My horror has been compounded by the inaction of the Australian Government. Through our trade, diplomatic, educational and other relationships we have many ways to put pressure on Israel to cease its genocide of Palestinians and to end its aggression towards neighbouring countries including Lebanon, Syria, Yemen and Iran.

Australia is a signatory to the Genocide Convention. As an ally of Israel, this means that we are obligated to do all that we can to intervene to stop their genocide of Palestinians.

I want the Australian Parliament to enact the following policies:

• Sanction Israel;

• Cut off all weapons sales and support to Israel and all companies and organisations connected with the Israeli military and government;

• End all support for Israel;

• Hold Israel to account and work to change the attitudes of other countries to Israel (especially USA);

• Provide financial and other support to organisations working in Palestine such as UNRWA;

• Provide immediate supported refugee placements for Palestinians in Australia.

I understand that as a member of the opposition at this time, you are unable to take direct action. However, I request that you take note of my concerns and, on my behalf, pass this message on to the Foreign Minister.

I would also ask that you let me know what the Foreign Minister’s reply is.

This issue is a key consideration for how I will vote at the next election.