Since this petition was started in May 2024, 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 doctors, 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.
Australia & New Zealand Doctors for Palestine (ANZDFP) has joined forces with Australian Social Workers for Palestine. Both groups are urgently calling on the Australian government to grant Palestinians humanitarian visas.
Senator David Pocock will be tabling both petitions in Parliament on Wednesday afternoon on the 3rd of July.
Petition by ANZDFP: https://www.change.org/p/the-australian-government-must-issue-humanitarian-visas-to-palestinians-fleeing-gaza
Petition by Australian Social Worker for Palestine: https://www.change.org/p/grant-palestinians-fleeing-the-conflict-in-gaza-access-to-humanitarian-support
All Australians are invited sign and share these petitions with your networks and show the Australian government how important this issue is to the Australian public. You do not need to be a doctor or social worker to sign.
In solidarity,
Australia & New Zealand Doctors for Palestine (ANZDFP)
References:
1) https://www.ochaopt.org/content/reported-impact-snapshot-gaza-strip-26-june-2024