Dear Mayor Susanne Newton, Darebin Council, and Darebin Councillors,

Darebin Council is a progressive council, with an admirable record of advocating for human rights. This includes recent actions on the rights of First Nations people, LQBTQIA+ and disabled residents, refugees and asylum seekers, as well as on the war in Ukraine and the occupation of Palestine. This reflects the concerns and progressive values of the residents of Darebin.

Darebin Council speaks of their “sustained and unwavering commitment to human rights and peace, be it locally or globally”. The motion entitled ‘Ceasefire in Palestine’, slated to be discussed by Council this coming Monday, is a lukewarm motion which flies in the face of this commitment. In light of the recent UN General Assembly vote, as well as motions passed in Merri-bek, Maribyrnong, Dandenong and elsewhere, it could and should be strengthened significantly. Over 18,000 people have been killed, with thousands more under rubble. The 2.2 million people of Gaza have been placed under siege by Israeli forces, with limited to no access to water, food, electricity, medicine or fuel. Refugee camps, schools, hospitals and mosques are being targeted, as are teachers, journalists, healthcare workers, doctors and aid workers. International bodies such as the UN are pointing to evidence of war crimes and genocide. Darebin Council needs to do more.

Any motion passed by Darebin Council must contain these essential elements:

* A call for an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire;

* A call for withdrawal of Israel from occupied Palestinian land;

* An acknowledgement and mourning of the horrific loss of Palestinian and Israeli lives, and a condemnation of all attacks targeting civilians.

* An acknowledgement that the conflict did not begin on October 7th, but with the Israeli occupation of Palestine;

* An acknowledgement that many global organisations and institutions have documented evidence of war crimes committed by Israel against Palestinians;

* A commitment to fly the Palestinian flag above Preston Town Hall;

* Call upon the Australian Government to condemn Israeli war crimes, call for an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire, and end all military, economic, political and diplomatic ties to Israel until it complies with its obligations under international law.

Sincerely,

Your community members.