26 October 2023, Electrical Trades Union – Queensland/Northern Territory Branch

From the Executive of the Queensland/Northern Territory Branch of the Electrical Trades Union.

The ETU has a long and proud history of supporting the most vulnerable and disadvantaged people at home and abroad. Since our inception, we have stood in solidarity with numerous domestic and international social injustices. The apartheid regime of South Africa, the draconian immigration policies of former LNP governments, opposition to the Vietnam war and the apartheid of Northern Ireland and the Palestinian people amongst others. We have stood with innocent victims of industrial, racial, religious and political oppression and persecution the world over.

In light of the current events unfolding in the Middle East the ETU feels it is absolutely necessary to condemn all forms of terrorism and terrorist organisations.

The actions of Hamas in Israel on October 7 were vicious, callous and inhumane and was a clear breach of international law that deserves condemnation in the strongest possible terms.

The retaliatory actions of the government of Israel on the people of Palestine every day since October 7 were vicious, callous, and inhumane and a clear breach of international law that deserves condemnation in the strongest possible terms.

The oppressed innocent people of Palestine are not Hamas. The victims of Hamas are innocent civilians of Israel.

The ETU recognises this is a complicated and sensitive situation with an extraordinary level of misinformation circulating in all forms of media.

We call upon the Australian Government to use all of its influence on the international stage for the negotiation of an immediate ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict taking place in Gaza. The indiscriminate collective punishment of innocent civilians in Gaza must cease immediately and negotiations for a peaceful resolution to begin. We support a free Palestine and the right for Israel to coexist under a two-state solution.

Above all, we stand with the innocent men, women, and children caught in the crossfire of this brutal war.

In Solidarity,
ETU QLD/NT Executive.

Source: ETU Qld/NT facebook

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[With thanks to S. Missen for her work collating statements ~ auspal.]