To all people of conscience, to trade unions, civil society movements, faith-based groups, elected representatives, humanitarian actors, and every individual, collective, and institution that upholds human rights, dignity, and the sanctity of life. We reach out to you with hearts shattered by grief, suffocated by injustice, and inflamed by the unbearable silence of the world. A genocide is unfolding, relentless, systematic, and deliberate, before our very eyes in Gaza.

Palestinian civil society, joined by humanitarian and human rights organisations worldwide, issues this urgent and unified call: The manufactured famine in Gaza must be halted. The international community must act decisively, immediately, and with full moral and legal responsibility.

“We are facing disaster,” said Sami Khader from MA’AN Development Centre. “For ten days now, no food or supplies have been allowed in. Israel is using hunger as a weapon to try to force Palestinians to leave their country.”

In light of recent remarks by President Trump suggesting U.S. ownership of Gaza and calling for the permanent relocation of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip, we –the Australian trade union global justice organisation– see these proposals with utmost concern as they contradict international law and infringe upon the fundamental human rights of the Palestinian people.

Since October 2023, Union Aid Abroad – APHEDA has played a key role providing avenues for the Australian community to be informed on the situation in Gaza, demonstrate solidarity with the people of Gaza and offer meaningful financial support to aid efforts on the ground.