- The Guardian
- Issue #2173
Here are some figures. It’s more than two years since 7 October 2023. In that time, Israel’s military have killed over 68,000 civilians. It’s one month since the ceasefire was announced. In that month, two children have been killed every day in Gaza.
The Nakba, the violent dispossession of Palestinian people, happened 77 years ago. It’s still happening. On the occupied West Bank, attacks against Palestinians have never stopped, and have intensified recently. In October this year, there were more than 260 such attacks.
It’s understandable that some people feel Gaza’d out. The topic has been in the news a lot over the last two years. Australian media has talked about Gaza a lot, as well as trying energetically to demonise or dismiss those who have marched calling for peace and for an end to Australia’s complicity. Thousands of people have marched in protest against the genocide, week after week for two years. There has been a lot of Gaza.
It’s understandable that people might want to cling to the recent announcement of a ceasefire. Understandable but mistaken. Palestine needs our attention and our action.
That so-called ‘ceasefire’? It’s being so badly kept that it should really be called “the next phase of the war.” On 11 November, Al Jazeera estimated that Israeli attacks in Gaza had killed at least 312 Palestinians and injured 760. Remember, the ceasefire signing ceremony was conducted in the absence of Israel and Hamas. Of course, Hamas is not the only Palestinian organisation, but since they’re mentioned in the ceasefire agreement, it’s not very reassuring that neither they nor Israel were there.
Trump’s ‘peace plan’ is really a takeover bid, in partnership with Israel. It’s a recipe for more violent colonisation with US backing. Israel has not given up on the ‘Greater Israel’ dream.
Australians who follow the news might wonder why they should care. Many look around their life here and don’t see either Israel or Palestinians. However the reasons why we should care are right in front of us.
Do you pay tax on your income? Congratulations, your taxes have funded a $917 million defence contact with Israeli military company Elbit Systems. They made the drone that killed Australian aid worker Zomi Frankcom. Your taxes also support the Pine Gap signals surveillance base that provides intelligence to the US and Israeli militaries. Do you have a Superannuation account? It’s highly likely your super fund invests in the Israeli economy.
Australia is complicit at the government level too. Apart from the money the Albanese government has handed out to Elbit, and our role in making parts for the F-35 fighter-bomber jets Israel uses to bomb civilians in Gaza, this country maintains diplomatic relations with Israel.
Some argue that it doesn’t matter what Australia does about the ongoing genocide. They say it’s too far away, and we can’t change it. They’re wrong. If what this country does or says doesn’t make a difference, why did the Israeli PM bother to berate the Albanese government for recognising a Palestinian state?
Palestine matters because the attack on its people and land are part of the system of US capital-driven global dominance, that Australia is a part of.
Palestine is closer than you think, and the fight for Palestinian freedom is a fight against a global bully that oppresses Australian working people. Their fight is a part of our fight, for an independent Australia that puts its people first.
Don’t forget Gaza. Don’t forget Palestine. Pressure your super fund. Keep up the pressure on the politicians. If you can, join a solidarity organisation.
