Miriam Margolyes OAM joins Jewish campaign to sanction Israel, saying ‘Never let it be said that Australia assisted in starving a nation to death’
Jewish Australian BAFTA-winning actor Miriam Margolyes OAM has joined the Jewish Council of Australia’s campaign calling on the Australian Government to sanction Israel.
In a video message, Margolyes said, ‘I’m begging the Australian government to face up to a moral responsibility to help the terrifying number of Palestinians who are facing complete starvation’.
‘You know and I know that people are dying. Not just dying from starvation but being killed when they go to get whatever scraps of food they can find. Margolyes then addressed the waiting to bring food into Gaza, that has not seen food for a frighteningly long time.
‘Never let it be said that Australia assisted in starving a nation to death.’
Miriam Margoyles’ comments come as hundreds participate in the campaign run by the Jewish Council of Australia to end Israel’s starvation of Gaza, holding signs saying ‘Jews say no to starving Gaza’, ‘Let Gaza Live’ and ‘End the Genocide’, and writing to their MPs calling on the Australian government to take action including by sending a diplomatic mission to support a humanitarian convoy into Gaza, and by sanctioning Israel for breaches of International Law.
The campaign shows a growing rift within the Jewish community in regard to support for Israel. Hundreds of Australian Jews recently signed a petition calling on their communal leaders to act on Gaza, inspired by members of the traditionally pro-Israel UK Jewish Board of Deputies who recently spoke out against Israel’s conduct in Gaza. The Jewish Council’s membership also continues to grow, with over one thousand Jews stating their opposition to Israel’s continued policies aimed at the destruction of Palestinian life.
Sarah Schwartz, Executive Officer of the Jewish Council, said:
“Every day more and more Jewish people are speaking out against Israel’s abominations in Gaza. We are seeing pictures of starving children, parents holding the remains of their deceased babies, and news of Israel shooting and killing Palestinians desperately seeking aid, and saying loudly that these genocidal acts are not in our names.” “The world is watching and Anthony Albanese has a stark choice. Either take concrete action to show that we oppose Israel’s starvation and slaughter of Palestinians, or be remembered in history as a nation complicit in a genocide.”
To arrange an interview or for further comment, email jewishcouncil@jewishcouncil.com.au or SMS 0493 970 412.