October 7, 2025
This week marks two years since Israel began its genocide against Palestinians in Gaza and two years since the Hamas-led attacks that killed over 1,000 people in Israel and saw hundreds taken hostage.
As talks over a new “peace plan” begin, this anniversary is a reminder that peace and safety will never be achieved without Palestinian rights to self-determination, equality and freedom — and an immediate end to Israel’s occupation, apartheid and genocide.
Two years on, Israel’s genocide in Gaza has obliterated entire neighbourhoods, families, and anything that could sustain Palestinian life. Hospitals, schools, and refugee camps have been destroyed. Nearly two million people are displaced and starving, and the death toll continues to rise. The UN, and all major human rights organisations agree that Israel is committing the crime of genocide. In the West Bank, Palestinians face escalating settler and state violence and plans for further Israeli annexation. Tens of thousands of Palestinians remain imprisoned in inhumane conditions.
The continuation of this genocide has only placed the Israeli hostages lives, and the lives of all people in Israel, at greater risk. Israel’s dispossession, occupation, apartheid, and violence endangers everyone — Palestinians and Jewish Israelis alike.
While diplomats discuss ceasefire frameworks in Egypt, Israel continues its bombardment — killing more than 90 Palestinians in the past two days alone. Nearly two million remain displaced, starving and without medical care. The Israeli Prime Minister and senior officials have already declared their intention to override the peace plan, continue military operations indefinitely and maintain control of Gaza.
Now is not the time for Australia to take a step back. Whether or not a peace plan is agreed, Australia’s legal and moral obligation remains clear: to act now to end the genocide and pursue justice for Palestine. It is clear that the US and Israel are responsive to international pressure and that sanctions would make a meaningful difference to Palestinians on the ground.
Two years on, we reiterate our urgent calls on the Australian government to:
- Impose country-level sanctions against Israel and against Israeli government officials responsible for war crimes;
- End the two-way arms trade with Israel;
- Hold Israel accountable for its blatant violations of international law.
Dr Max Kaiser, Executive Officer
“Israel’s campaign of destruction will continue so long as world leaders, including Australia, refuse to act. The Australian government must impose sanctions, end the arms trade, and help hold Israel accountable for genocide and war crimes.”
“The anti-genocide protests planned for this week, coupled with recent polling showing wide support for sanctions on Israel, should be a wake up call to our government.
The NSW Jewish Board of Deputies is encouraging racism and division by suggesting that protests, like the one planned at the Opera House in support of Palestinian human rights, are somehow anti-Jewish. Jews and Palestinians refuse to be made into enemies by racist media, the Israel lobby, politicians and those attacking freedom of protest.”
Sarah Schwartz, Executive Officer
“We urge politicians not to weaponise the memory of the victims of October 7 to justify support for Israel’s ongoing genocide or to silence voices in support of Palestinian human rights. As Jewish people, we mourn all lives lost — Palestinian and Israeli — and refuse to allow our grief to be weaponised to justify further killing.”
“Israel’s escalating campaign of annihilation against Palestinians, enabled by Western governments, has made all people in the region unsafe. True peace cannot be built on genocide or impunity. As Jewish people, we know that safety built on the oppression of another people is an illusion. Justice, dignity and self-determination for Palestinians is not only a moral imperative — it is the only path to peace.”