MEDIA RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 22 May 2025
IPAN Patrons: Emeritus Professor Ian Lowe AO & Kellie Tranter Lawyer & Human Rights Activist
IPAN calls on the Australian Government to:
- Cut diplomatic ties and stop all trade with Israel
- Support South Africa’s case in the International Court of Justice and name Israel’s actions for what they are – war crimes and genocide
- Stop Electro Optic Systems (EOS) and other weapons companies exporting to Israel directly or via secondary countries
- Support the call for official diplomatic missions to accompany aid trucks into Gaza
‘The Independent and Peaceful Australia Network (IPAN) is horrified by the continuing catastrophe that is taking place in Gaza, with an extreme hunger crisis and famine warnings and continuing deadly bombing attacks resulting in hundreds of civilian deaths over recent weeks’, said IPAN spokesperson, Ms Hiba Farra, an advocate for the Palestinian cause with a legal background.
‘IPAN recognises the importance of recent statements by Foreign Affairs Minister, Penny Wong calling for access for humanitarian aid and a ceasefire, but it is clear that words and resolutions are just not working. The imposing of sanctions by the international community is needed as a matter of grave urgency’, said Ms Farra.
Other countries are finally stepping up to take stronger action, with the UK Government suspending trade talks with Israel and announcing sanctions in response to the constant violence committed by extremist Israeli settlers in the West Bank.
The UK along with France and Canada have condemned Israel’s actions in Gaza and the West Bank and have said they will take concrete actions if Israel does not cease their military offensive and ‘significantly lift restrictions on humanitarian aid’.
‘IPAN urges Australia to join the UK, France and Canada in putting strong sanctions in place to help stop the bombing and atrocities in Gaza and the West Bank, and demand the Gaza checkpoints be opened to facilitate the massive amounts of aid needed to alleviate the hunger’, said Ms Farra.
IPAN supports the call by the Australian Palestine Advocacy Network for Australia to commit to joining a global humanitarian convoy by dispatching official diplomatic missions to accompany aid trucks into Gaza via the Rafah crossing.
‘We also call on the Australian Government to immediately divest all investments held in the Future Fund or any other Government funds relating to companies which have links to Israel. This must include arms, logistics energy and construction companies as well as financial sector services’, stated Ms Farra.
‘Australia should also condemn outright the continued supply of military equipment, including bombs, to Israel by the US. While Prime Minister Anthony Albanese appears to be developing a friendly relationship with US President Donald Trump – what we need is for the Prime Minister to provide frank and fearless advice to the President, urging the US to stop aiding and enabling Israel’s genocide against the people of Gaza’, said Ms Farra.
We believe that the Australian Government must urgently implement the following:
Apply trade sanctions to Israel and divest all investments from companies with links to Israel
Immediately cancel the Elbit Systems contract and end all bilateral military/technology trade with Israel
Ensure full transparency in Australia’s weapons and weapons components exports – including demanding a cessation of military parts or completed weapons being sent to Israel directly or via a third party.
Recall Australia’s ambassador from Israel, in the absence of an immediate unconditional and permanent ceasefire and the assurance of supplies of the massive amounts of necessary aid into Gaza.
Advise the Israeli ambassador to Australia that he will be expelled in the absence of an immediate unconditional and permanent ceasefire and the assurance of supplies of the massive amounts of necessary aid into Gaza.
‘IPAN calls on the Australian Government’s humanity for the children dying of starvation. We must act now – before it is far too late’, urged Ms Farra.
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For Media Interviews: Hiba Farra, 0424 410 313
Media Liaison: Jonathan Pilbrow 0403 611 815
Bio: Hiba Farra is an advocate for the Palestinian cause with a legal background. Hiba was a presenter at the recent bi-ennial national conference of the Independent and Peaceful Australia Network (IPAN), held in Perth from 4-6 October.