The Jewish Council of Australia (JCA) has expressed horror at the unprecedented escalation of Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon, which killed at least 254 people and wounded over 1,000 others in a single afternoon.
The JCA is urgently calling on the Albanese Government to join a growing chorus of world leaders in applying immediate, meaningful pressure on the Netanyahu government to cease its bombardment and prevent violations of the so-called ceasefire.
The strikes, which the IDF described as its “largest onslaught” since the war began, have caused the highest single-day death toll since the current conflict began.
“What we witnessed in Beirut yesterday was an unconscionable attack on Lebanese civilians” said Sarah Schwartz, Executive Director of the Jewish Council of Australia.
“The daylight bombing of civilian infrastructure and homes cannot be justified as a targeted military operation. It is collective punishment for a civilian population already suffering the consequences of Israel and America’s violent assault on the region.”
Using the pretext of Hezbollah attacks is completely inadequate when Israel continues to devastate civilian populations and cause harm across Lebanon.
If Prime Minister Albanese and Foreign Minister Wong are serious about seeing an end to this bloodshed, they must join other world leaders in publicly condemning this bombing and take decisive action to pressure Israel to stop violating international law through sanctions.
“As Jewish Australians, we express solidarity with the Lebanese community and reject the idea that our safety or the safety of Jews in Israel can be built on the rubble of Lebanese and Palestinian homes,” said Schwartz.
“We call on our government to fulfill its moral and legal obligation to act. Prime Minister Albanese must support international efforts to hold all parties accountable to international law.”
Security is not found in further bombing or senseless violence.
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