Jewish Council of Australia urges action against 'Israel'
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The Jewish Council of Australia urges sanctions, arms embargo, and accountability measures alongside Canberra’s planned recognition of Palestine at the UN in September.
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Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese arrives at Calgary International Airport June 15, 2025, ahead of the G7 Summit, in Calgary. (AP)
The Jewish Council of Australia has urged that the country's impending recognition of the State of Palestine should be paired with what they describe as "principled action," which they argue is necessary to stop "Israel's" actions in the besieged Palestinian territory, actions they characterize as an "escalating genocide."
In a Monday statement, the council stressed that the recognition planned for next month should not be "merely symbolic" and called for it to be accompanied by tangible actions such as imposing sanctions and implementing a full arms embargo against "Israel," while also urging the Australian government to take a stronger stance against the ongoing violence in the region.
Recognition of Palestine MUST be combined with actions to stop the genocide.
— Jewish Council of Australia (@jewishcouncilAU) August 11, 2025
With the deliberate assassination overnight of Al-Jazeera journalists and plans to permanently occupy Gaza, the Australian government must take meaningful action and suspend military ties to Israel! pic.twitter.com/X1Xru5uGIW
The statement further called for the immediate termination of all military agreements with "Israel" and an end to the provision of parts for F-35 fighter jets, which are currently being deployed in operations on Gaza, while also emphasizing the need for accountability regarding the use of such weapons in the conflict.
The council underscored the need to hold "Israel" accountable for almost two years of continuous airstrikes, systematic forced displacement, and the intentional withholding of food and resources in Gaza, while also pointing out that "Israel" has openly "acknowledged targeting and killing journalists and reporters" as part of its military operations.
Council head criticizes Western hypocrisy
Sarah Schwartz, the council’s executive officer, condemned Western governments for acting as the leading providers of deadly arms to "Israel", while accusing them of enabling and perpetuating the bloodshed through their military support.
Schwartz stated, "You cannot endorse Palestinian statehood with one hand while supplying parts of the weapons that destroy it with the other," while also asserting that Palestinians "have the right to live in safety and dignity – free from occupation, siege and fear."
The statement follows nearly 75% of UN members recognizing or planning to recognize Palestinian statehood, as Australia pledges to do so at September's UN General Assembly.
Australia set to recognize a Palestinian state in September
The decision to recognize a Palestinian state was announced by the Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on August 10, aligning with France, Britain, and Canada, who all signalled their intention to do so.
Albanese's announcement followed weeks of pressure from Albanese’s Cabinet and broader Australian society, driven by escalating alarm over Gaza’s humanitarian catastrophe, while the Australian government simultaneously condemned the plans unveiled by Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu for another major military assault on the besieged territory.
Canberra's prime minister noted that the recognition would be officially confirmed at the United Nations General Assembly in September while emphasizing that this move was contingent on assurances from the Palestinian Authority, such as removing Hamas from power, disarming Gaza, and conducting democratic elections.
