6 November 2023, Unions Tasmania

Unions Tasmania is appalled at the latest outbreak of violence in Israel and Palestine, including in Gaza, that is now spreading into neighbouring countries like Lebanon.

We grieve for all lives lost.

We grieve for the workers who’ve been killed on the job because of the violence – including nurses, health workers, paramedics, journalists, teachers and doctors.

Unions Tasmania condemns the abominable actions of Hamas on 7 October, including the violent mass killings of Israeli civilians.  We join the international community and the trade union movement in Australia in demanding the immediate release of hostages.

We call for an end to the violence in Israel and Palestine.

Specifically, we call for a ceasefire between Israel and Palestine.

The international community must work quickly together towards a fair resolution for lasting peace which must at its heart recognise the sovereign nationhood of the state of Palestine and the freedom, equality and human rights of its citizens.  For a lasting peace to be meaningful, Palestinians must have the same rights, self-determination and access to resources as any other democratic nation.

Unions Tasmania expresses its concern for Gazan workers, their families, and their communities as they have been left without foods, water, electricity and fuel or a means to escape the horrors of a war they did not choose.

The indiscriminate bombing of Gaza is a crime and must stop.  Giving residents prior warning before a missile strike does not justify the destruction of someone’s home and community infrastructure.  We are especially concerned for Gazans who are unable to leave the area, and as defenders of human rights we believe that military objectives should never be prioritised over civilians.

We call on international leaders to be brave and consistent in their support for universal human rights.  Civilians are innocent, and they have no choice in any of it.

Source: Unions Tasmania

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