Petition tabled in Parliament
More than 80,000 of us signed our names asking the government to take meaningful action against Israel as it continues to violate international law, and call for a ceasefire. On Thursday 16th November, this petition was presented to a group of MPs from across the political spectrum, and later tabled in Parliament by Adam Bandt. Another petition from healthcare workers calling for a ceasefire which had amassed almost 40,000 signatures was presented in unison. Cumulatively, over 116,000 signatures calling for a ceasefire landed on the desks of those who have the most power to make that happen in this country.
Alongside the efforts of everyone calling and emailing their MPs, protesting, engaging in direct action, raising awareness, and speaking up in anyway they can, this increases the pressure on our politicians to call for a ceasefire now. And they are feeling the pressure. A small group of us, including the doctors behind the ‘Health Care Workers for Ceasefire’ petition (https://chng.it/CgYHjw8kcD had multiple meetings with different MPs. We discussed with them how it important it is for Australians to see that our government acts to uphold international law and the protection it should bestow upon everyone. We stressed that regardless of Australia’s role in the international community, we care to see what values our government prioritises. The action they take now sends a strong message, and we are listening carefully.
They told us that the actions everyone is taking are making a difference to the views of other politicians - particularly within the Labor party. So that means we must continue. We must continue politely calling our MPs’ offices, we must email them, we must show up to protests, and we must let them know that we will not be quiet until we see the change we know is coming. Please visit APAN’s website (https://apan.org.au/ for more information about meaningful action you can take.
Thank you all for using your voice to call for a better world. Our voices are powerful, and even more powerful together.