As President Isaac Herzog prepares for an official visit, Australia faces serious questions about international law, diplomatic process, and the values it claims to uphold.
Margaret Reynolds
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‘Australians for Humanity’ demand the invitation to Israel’s President be withdrawn immediately
The Israel President cannot be welcomed in Australia. The government he represents has been found by the International Court of Justice to have breached international law: the Netanyahu regime has committed a range of international crimes against humanity including war crimes, apartheid, illegal occupation and ethnic cleansing. (more…)
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Australia’s Christmas double standards on Palestine
As Palestinians face another winter of displacement and bombardment, Australia celebrates Christmas while ignoring its own obligations under international law. If recognition of Palestine is to mean anything, the government must act – not look away. (more…)
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Palestine’s future: Australians are outraged
At an Australia-wide webinar on 31 October, David Spratt paid tribute to the late Ali Kazak, Palestine’s first ambassador to Australia. (more…)
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The future of Palestine – What must the Australian Government do?
What must the Australian Government do to play our proper part in rebuilding Gaza and responding to the urgent needs of the Palestinian people? The Australians for Humanity webinar will pose and try and answer these questions. (more…)
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The Australian prime minister has little time left to salvage his place in history
For many months now, Australians have been calling for our prime minister to accept his responsibility as the nation’s leader to sanction Israel in response to its military atrocities and ethnic cleansing in Gaza. (more…)
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Gaza: Options for urgent action put to parliamentarians
Organising to meet a considerable number of federal parliamentarians in Canberra during a sitting week is never easy but that was the goal of Australians for Humanity desperate for new ways for Australia to contribute to urgent humanitarian action in Gaza. (more…)
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Australian parliamentarians urgently need lessons in international law
As the new Parliament returns this month, it is timely to ask just how many Australian parliamentarians need urgent instruction in international law and how it impacts on government decision-making which complies with the United Nations rules-based order developed by the efforts of so many nations since 1945. (more…)
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Diplomats prepare ground for June conference on two-state solution for Israel and Palestine
We know that 67% of Australians believe Israel should not be withholding food, water and medical aid from civilians in Gaza (You Gov poll May 2025). Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has called it an outrage. (more…)
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Whether due to indifference or disinterest, the media colludes with Gaza genocide
Clearly, the Australian media has little interest in reporting on any local reaction to the catastrophe in Gaza. (more…)
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It’s time for Albo to lead in new directions
Anthony Albanese is coming under pressure from different sections of society to change his approach to governing and also being criticised about the lack of imagination in his approach to foreign affairs.
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Vote for humanity: Caring for Palestine
As Australians hear the repetitive, carefully scripted announcements of the two major parties, voters are turning away from the blatant bribery of millions of dollars for marginal electorates and personal promises of tax cuts and cheaper petrol. (more…)
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The Australian War Memorial needs to be removed from the influence of international arms companies
Last week the ABC Four Corners program “Sacrifice“ highlighted the harsh reality that we have lost control of the Australian War Memorial, which is dedicated to remembering the many thousands of Australian lives impacted by war. This investigation exposed the way in which unscrupulous political decision-making has led to a major redevelopment that risks turning this unique national institution into a “Disneyland of war”. (more…)
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Truth telling about ceasefire in Gaza
We have all condemned fake news, and the lies continually spread on social media, but do we recognise that our political leaders and responsible journalists fail to promote truth telling in significant political debates which reflect the kind of society we have become? (more…)
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Australian minister to fly to Israel to mend fractured relationship?
When I read the Sydney Morning Herald headline about this development, I assumed it must be a typical January “silly season” political beat-up. (more…)
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Courage in public office and Australia’s recognition of Palestine
“No room for robust debate” within ALP caucus. “There is so much courage that Australia could exercise. We could come out and be the real champions of human rights, and human life, that we claim to be – especially within the Labor party.” High profile Senator Fatima Payman and former Labor Senator Margaret Reynolds discuss courage in public office, Australia’s recognition of Palestine, Australia’s Voice, and the difficulties of standing up for one’s principles within a party political system. (more…)
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Can Australian political leaders enjoy their holiday season while Palestinians starve?
How much longer can the Australian Government hide from the horrific atrocities that continue in Gaza?
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Will the Prime Minister now assert Australia’s independence and review his foreign and defence policies?
For some time now a considerable number of well-informed Australians have been warning Anthony Albanese and his government not to allow personal flattery and uncertain commitments to allow the United States to gain control of Australian foreign policy and defence policies.
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The Australian Government must impose sanctions on Israel NOW
Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong has finally acknowledged that Israel is in gross breach of international law, and must not ignore the United Nations, as it continues its ruthless military attacks on the people of Gaza, the West Bank and Lebanon. (more…)
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Australia’s shame
Open Letter to Antonio Guterres on the Australian Government’s failure to publicly defend the office of the United Nations Secretary General. (more…)
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What will follow the referendum?
It is not surprising that so many of us believed that after the Voice Referendum 2023 Indigenous people would be recognised in the Australian Constitution and their voices valued. (more…)
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Australia, Israel and the United Nations
In 1949 Australia’s Dr H.V. Evatt was described as: “The most brilliant and effective voice of Small Powers – a leading statesman for the world’s conscience.” When will another Australian voice speak up in the name of humanity at the United Nations? (more…)
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Life in Gaza and on the West Bank: Political leaders invited to interpret humanity
In the current global turmoil of revenge and war, Australians want to see political leaders speaking about humanity and negotiation, not the old rhetoric which chooses winners and losers. In the following letter to party leaders in the House of Representatives and the Senate, we urge all parliamentarians to support their leaders by making their own “Personal Statements of Humanity” in their communities as well as in the Parliament or on their websites. (more…)
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What has happened to Australia’s commitment to the United Nations?
On the eve on the UN International Day of Peace, I searched ministerial websites for media statements that might reflect the Australian Government’s commitment to this year’s theme “Building a Culture of Peace” but I found no indication that the Albanese Government has a vision of its role as a middle power working to support international law and prevent the ravages of militarism. Instead, there were various references celebrating AUKUS and increased military expenditure, but I could not locate any official recognition that the Australian Government marked 21 September as an important day in the UN calendar. Fortunately, we can rely on the non-government sector including “Religions for Peace”, “Raising Peace Festival” and other community organisations to ensure that International Day of Peace was recognised in Australia. (more…)
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The Albanese Government has consistently ignored advice about the humanitarian disaster in Gaza
Since the onset of the Gaza War, many Australians have urged the Albanese Government to speak up in condemning the Netanyahu regime’s constant breaches of international law and to act urgently to protect innocent civilians in Gaza and the West Bank. (more…)
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Who is responsible for social cohesion in Australia?
What is social cohesion and who is responsible for achieving it? (more…)
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Australian Leadership to end the war on Gaza: open letter to the Prime Minister
We write to express our extreme concern that Senator Payman has resigned from the Labor Government. (more…)
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Will Senator Payman influence Australian Government decision makers?
Senator Fatima Payman is one of the youngest members of the Albanese Government. Until recently she was unknown to most Australians except in her home state of Western Australia. She first came to attention when she publicly challenged the Prime Minister to be more vocal about genocide in Gaza and this was followed by a Senate debate critical of her and the use of the term “From the river to the sea Palestine will be free.” (more…)
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Why has the Australian Parliament failed to debate the tragedy of Gaza?
A majority of Australians want a ceasefire in Gaza, but the Australian Parliament seems more preoccupied with political brinkmanship than recognition of this tragedy.
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No more fence sitting … the Australian Government must condemn Israeli genocide!
We must make it clear to the current Israeli administration that our nation can no longer accept its actions and certainly do not “share its values “ (more…)