Media Release
For immediate release: 22 September 2025
Recognition of Palestine not enough, Sanctions Must Follow to Stop Genocide
SYDNEY – The Jewish Council of Australia affirms the Palestinian people’s fundamental right to self-determination—a right that has been systematically denied by the Israeli state.
Australia’s decision to recognise the State of Palestine is a response to the growing groundswell of public support for Palestinian rights across this country. The Australian government must ensure that ‘recognition’ is not merely symbolic. It needs to be combined with immediate action, including sanctions, to help end Israel’s ongoing genocide and the deliberate starvation of the people of Gaza.
Last week, the Jewish Council of Australia ran full-page advertisements in major newspapers with a clear message: “Jews say NO to genocide – sanction Israel now.” The overwhelming public response, with thousands signing our petition for sanctions in just a few days, shows Australians want more than diplomatic gestures. They are demanding real consequences for Israel’s crimes.
“Recognition must be combined with accountability. If Australia truly supports Palestinian self-determination, it must end all military cooperation with Israel and hold Israel accountable for its ongoing genocide and deliberate starvation of Gaza. You cannot endorse Palestinian statehood with one hand while supplying parts of the weapons that destroy it with the other.
Palestinians, like all people, have the right to live in safety and dignity—free from occupation, siege and fear. These rights have been systematically denied by the state of Israel. Self-determination must mean more than words. It must mean freedom of movement, control over land and resources, the right to return, and full equality.” ” said Sarah Schwartz, Executive Officer of the Jewish Council of Australia.
The Jewish Council of Australia calls on the Albanese Government to build on today’s announcement by immediately:
- Imposing targeted sanctions on Israeli government officials responsible for war crimes.
- Ending the two-way arms trade with Israel.
- Holding Israel accountable for its blatant violations of international law.
“As our recent ad campaign showed, a growing number of Australian Jews insist that the promise of ‘Never Again’ must apply to everyone, including Palestinians,” Ms. Schwartz said. As UN special rapporteur on human rights in the occupied Palestinian territory Francesca Albanese noted, countries must take more measures to end Israel’s war on Gaza, including by imposing sanctions and an arms embargo on Israel.
“We urge the government to listen to the community, not just the pro-Israel lobby groups, and use every tool it has to stop this horror. Real leadership means backing up words with action.”