As Palestinians face another winter of displacement and bombardment, Australia celebrates Christmas while ignoring its own obligations under international law. If recognition of Palestine is to mean anything, the government must act – not look away.

The Australian government continues to ignore its humanitarian responsibilities – ignoring the rules of international law as they affect the plight of Palestinians.

For the third consecutive winter the people of Gaza shiver in sodden tents and face a ceasefire while still under bombardment.

Aided and abetted by western nations unwilling to challenge the Israeli/US alliance, cruelty and suffering is allowed to remain the Israeli policy.

Preoccupied with an end to their parliamentary term and with preparations for Christmas holidays, the Australian government must plead guilty to appalling double standards: celebrations down under; starvation, deprivation and killing in Gaza and the West Bank.

Even at this eleventh hour, the government and all federal politicians could redeem themselves at least slightly. They could insist that the government try to keep its obligations to respect the rules of international law by asking four key questions.

1. When will the government impose sanctions on Israel for its failure to comply with international law ?

2. When will the attorney-general comply with the terms of the Genocide Convention?

3. What commitments has the prime minister made to assist with the US proposed peace plan for Gaza?

4. In response to Gazans’ injuries and sickness, when will the health and defence ministries specify their medical evacuation and treatment plans?

These urgent pre-Christmas questions follow Australia’s recognition of Palestine on 21 September – but is that recognition purely symbolic, a cowardly guarantee where nothing else needs to be done?

These urgent pre-Christmas questions occur in the context of a peace plan for Gaza which ignores the human rights of Palestinians – a plan which guarantees only a continuing illegal colonisation of Palestine.

In the interest of the ideals of a common humanity, let alone a generous Christmas spirit, a human rights-respecting Australian government must answer those questions.

The alternative is to indulge in Christmas festivities soured by cowardly, hypocritical double standards.

The views expressed in this article may or may not reflect those of Pearls and Irritations.

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