AJDS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Australian Jewish Democratic Society joins American Jewish groups in Condemning Israel's Disproportionate Response 
Calls for end to humanitarian crisis in Gaza
“ It's time to talk to Hamas”

Open Letter to The Honourable Stephen Smith MP
Minister for Foreign Affairs
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
AJDS, Australia’s oldest and largest Jewish peace organisation, deplores the terrible loss of life in the latest escalation of violence in the Middle East, and reiterates that all parties must be held accountable to international law. However, Israel's refusal to negotiate, despite repeated offers from Hamas, and their use of overwhelming force against a civilian population, have escalated the situation to the point of war.

Israel, like any other country, has the right and obligation to defend itself, and Palestinian militant rocket attacks on Sderot and Ashkelon are a clear violation of international law. Now Israel has chosen to punish the entire civilian population of Gaza with a 4-month blockade of food, medical supplies and fuel, and more recently, to rain missiles down on the heads of an already desperately poor and malnourished population. Two Israeli soldiers and one civilian and over 100 Gazans, one quarter of them children, have died in the last week alone.

AJDS support the conclusion of one of the US’s most influential Jewish newspapers, The Jewish Daily Forward, which last week said in an editorial, "a new consensus is emerging that Israel must talk to Hamas." Indeed, it is clear there is no military solution. A lasting peace will only be reached through a negotiated settlement. A recent poll shows that 64 per cent of Israelis want Israel to talk to Hamas.

We call on the Australian government to urge Israel to negotiate with Hamas, and to facilitate an immediate mutual ceasefire and an end to the siege on Gaza. Further, we reiterate that lasting peace in the region will not be possible until Israel ends its 40-year occupation of Palestinian people and land.

About the Australian Jewish Democratic Society
The AJDS was formed in 1984 to promote free discussion on Jewish and general social and political issues. Specifically, it grew out of a profound concern at the continuing Israeli-Arab conflict.

In addition to expressing views on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the AJDS also promotes cooperation with broader social groups on a range of issues. We in AJDS believe that in a genuinely multicultural society like Australia, Jews should be concerned with Indigenous rights and the rights of other minorities. Two of its founders Evelyn and Norman Rothfield have received many national and international awards including OAM's for their contribution to Peace.