Email Labor Government to demand real action and support of flotilla survivors

Stand with flotilla survivors and demand real actions from our government

UPDATE: Foreign Minister Penny Wong has agreed to meet with survivors after public pressure.

Stand with Australian survivors. We are Australian humanitarians who were beaten, abused and sexually assaulted by Israeli forces while attempting to deliver food, medicine and baby formula to starving civilians in Gaza. For weeks, we fought simply to be heard. Now Foreign Minister Penny Wong has publicly stated that she believes us and has agreed to meet with survivors. If the Australian Government believes us, then it must act.

The United Nations has concluded that Israeli forces have used rape and sexual violence against Palestinians as part of a broader pattern of abuse and torture. The Australian Government has also acknowledged serious violence, torture and sexual abuse linked to Israeli groups.

So we ask: If the government believes survivors, where are the consequences? Why are Australians still being asked to accept business as usual with a state accused of torture and sexual violence? Why is Australia still exporting weapons components and military goods that help sustain this system? Why is Israel's Ambassador still welcome after victim-blaming survivors

Australians do not stand with perpetrators of sexual violence. Australians believe survivors. Australians believe in justice.

We believe: • Survivors deserve to be heard. • Survivors deserve dignity. • Survivors deserve justice. That means: • Israel's Ambassador should be expelled for victim-blaming survivors and misleading the Australian public. • Australia should end all military cooperation and stop supplying weapons and weapons components linked to Israel's wars in Gaza and Lebanon. • The Australian Government should stand with survivors, not those accused of harming them.

The flotilla has come ashore. Now it is our turn. Add your name and stand with survivors.

Original text:

Who are we?

We are members of the Global Sumud Flotilla and the Freedom Flotilla Coalition. We are the Australian humanitarians who were brutalised and sexually assaulted by Israel when we were imprisoned after Israel abducted us in international waters. We are the women who have asked the Prime Minister to meet with us to discuss what Israel did to us. He has refused. Not only has our Prime Minister refused to speak with us, he has not said anything about Israel’s brutalisation of us, his constituents.

We struggle to believe that the Australian government has been silent as the details of Israel’s horrific, inhumane brutalisation and sexual assault and rape of Australians have unfolded. What is more important to Mr Albanese? The people of Australia or Israel?

Who makes up the Global Sumud Flotilla and the Freedom Flotilla Coalition?

Over 400 humanitarians from over 46 countries joined together to sail to Gaza to break Israel’s siege of Gaza, to deliver aid to Palestinians in Gaza, and to bring the world’s eyes to Gaza and to the genocide Israel is committing in Palestine.

We are a diverse coalition of people of all ages, life stages and lifestyles who support Palestinian freedom, justice and equality and oppose genocide, apartheid and the illegal occupation of Palestine by Israel.

This is about a starving people who don’t have the resources to survive because of Israel’s siege of Gaza. Giving aid is a legal requirement. To deny it is against international law and a war crime.

Why sign?

We’ve had overwhelming messages of support from Australians and non-Australians who are also aghast at the Australian government’s silence on Israel’s treatment of Australians.

Many have been contacting us asking how they can amplify our demands – here is your avenue!

In signing this appeal, you are giving your voice to our campaign in demand for the Prime Minister to meet with us.