Since this petition was started in November 2023, the Palestinian death toll has risen to over 37,000. Of those identified, women comprise 20% and children 32% of fatalities.(1)
Save the Children(2) estimates that over 20,000 children in Gaza are missing. These unaccounted-for children could be trapped beneath rubble, buried in mass graves, maimed beyond recognition, detained, or otherwise separated from their families.
How do we live in a world where this level of human suffering is allowed to continue? As Australian social workers, we call upon our Federal Government to take immediate, tangible actions to alleviate the suffering of Palestinians.
Australia has a well-established humanitarian support program, which has been highly responsive in meeting the needs of those in humanitarian crisis from Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, and the Ukraine. Irrespective of one’s country of origin, there should be a standard model of care to assist individuals fleeing for their safety and in dire need of Australia's protection.
Australian Social Workers for Palestine has joined forces with Australia & New Zealand Doctors for Palestine (ANZDFP). Both groups are urgently calling on the Australian government to grant Palestinians humanitarian visas.
Senator David Pocock will be tabling both petitions in Parliament next Wednesday afternoon on the 3rd of July.
Please show your support for this issue by signing and sharing these petitions with your networks and show the Australian government how important this issue is to the Australian public.
You don't have to be a social worker or a doctor to sign the petitions.
Petition by ANZDFP:
Petition by Australian Social Worker for Palestine:
In solidarity,
Australian Social Workers for Palestine
References:
1) https://www.ochaopt.org/content/reported-impact-snapshot-gaza-strip-26-june-2024