No 85 November, 2023
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In this Edition:
IPAN Actions for Peace
* IPAN Media Release "Stop the siege and stop the genocide in Gaza"
* Kathryn Kelly on Gaza on 8CCC radio
* Sending letter to your MP regarding Gaza
* IPAN e-petition to parliament calling for termination of the FPA
* Taking a stand for Peace - P & I article by Bevan Ramsden
* Residents oppose workers accommodation close to RAAF Tindal - they are to extend the runway for US Bombers
Australia-wide activities
Palestine -Gaza Protest
* Defence Minister Marles' office stormed by Pro-Palestinian protesters
* Pro-Palestinian demonstrator arrested after Pine Gap blockade
* Darwin Rally in support of Palestinians- Report
* Brisbane Rallies in support of Palestinians- Just Peace Report
* AWPR questions ADF deployment to ME & Australia's war material exports to Israel
* Palestine Solidarity Message - No AUKUS Coalition Victoria
* Israeli Intelligence Ministry Policy Paper on Gaza's Civilian Population, October, 2023
Coming Events
* Drown out the drums of war - March on Naval Expo- 7th Nov
* South Pacific Struggles- West Papua Sovereignty denied: Australia: Sovereignty surrendered - 11th Nov
* Truth on Trial: War crimes & Whistleblowers - 10th Nov
* Truth not War Festival - ACT 12th Nov
* Rally for David McBride - ACT Courts, 10th Nov
* Palestine- Some Observations - 14th November
* ACT Climate protesters in court
* School Strike for Climate - November 17th
* ICAN International Day of Action for Nuclear Weapons Ban - Sunday 26th Nov
* ICAN Petition: Labor keep your promise and sign the TPNW
Informative Articles
* Hallucinatory world: Governments blind as multiple catastrophes besiege human civilisation- Julian Cribb
* Where will they dump Nuclear waste?- by David Noonan
* Senator Shoebridge calls out the waste of $368 billion on nuclear subs
* China has neither the intent nor the capability to attack us - John Menadue
* Former British Soldier exposes Israel War Machine - Joe Glenton
* Australian universities join global defence consortium supporting AUKUS Industry
* Jack Lynch's Monthly Newsletter
* The Echidna Strategy: Australia's Search of Power and Peace - Sam Roggeveen
IPAN Actions for Peace
MEDIA RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE 18 October 2023
IPAN calls on Australia and the International community to act to end the siege and stop the genocide in Gaza
The Independent and Peaceful Australia Network (IPAN) has called on the Australian government to condemn the Israeli siege of Gaza and to call for negotiations for an immediate ceasefire and withdrawal of all Israeli troops.
“Prime Minister Anthony Albanese must call for the siege and bombing to end before more innocent families are killed”, said IPAN Spokesperson, Kathryn Kelly, also a member of Australians for Justice and Peace in Palestine (AJPP).
“Immediate measures must be put in place to address the current escalation of this historical conflict – including negotiations for an immediate ceasefire and withdrawal of all Israeli troops from Gaza”, said Ms Kelly.
Listen to Kathryn Kelly on the Gaza situation on 8CCC radio HERE
The Australian government refused to support a United Nations Resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. This is shameful and must be reversed
For the sake of all the children and all non-combatants, this war in Gaza must be stopped
We must do something.
Here is what IPAN suggests as one action we can take
Send a letter to your MP - template HERE
IPAN's e-petition to Parliament calling for termination of the Force Posture Agreement reaches 2,900 signatures
Let's make it 3,000
It is open until 15th November.
or go to QR Code below
The e-petition calls for termination of the US-Australia Force Posture Agreement
This sell out by successive governments enables US militarisation of Australia in preparation for war against China
Details HERE
United States' B52 bomber arrives in Darwin: Up to six to be stationed at RAAF Tindal.. B52's are capable of carrying nuclear bombs. They are stationed under the Force Posture Agreement.
With acknowledgement to Pearls and Irritations, 27th October,2023
Taking a stand for Peace
The Independent and Peaceful Australia Network (IPAN) has produced a petition opposing the Force Posture Agreement which is enabling US militarisation of Australia in preparation for the US to support/launch war from the Australian continent against China. The e-petition to parliament is an instrument for peace calling for the termination of the Force Posture Agreement.
Residents say no to construction of accommodation for workers extending RAAF Tindal aircraft runway for US Bombers
The construction of a 256 bed facility is proposed close to RAAF Base Tindal for construction workers extending the aircraft runway and providing parking and maintenance accommodation for US military aircrafts including B52 bombers some of which are capable of carrying nuclear weapons.
This runway extension is facilitated by the US-Australia Force Posture Agreement. Residents are opposing the proposal because it will have a disastrous impact on their area.
Australia-wide Activities
PALESTINE - GAZA PROTESTS
Defence Minister Richard Marles’ office stormed by pro-Palestine protesters by Shannon Molloy, 2.30pm, 1st Nov
Police have begun removing protesters who stormed the electorate office of Defence Minister Richard Marles and refused to leave.
The group, which describes itself as being anti-Zionist, entered the building on Brougham Street in Geelong in Victoria at about 10am.
Several demonstrators chained themselves by their necks in the reception area using bike locks and refused to leave.
Others blocked the entrance to the building, located on Brougham Street in Geelong in Victoria, and erected banners reading “Stop the genocide” and “Disarm Israel” among others.
Their sit-in stretched on for four hours before police eventually moved in and began dragging people away.
Just after 2pm, officers had cleared the building.
A statement released by organisers said protesters were led by members of the Jewish community.
As the sit-in began, the crowd began singing a Yiddish prayer song for the peace.
In a statement, Noemie Huttner-Koros, a Jewish artist and writer, said: “As a descendant of Holocaust survivors, I refuse to let Israel’s far-right government weaponise our grief, pain and fear for the purpose of war crimes, invasion and genocide.
“We want to show Jewish people in the diaspora that we can speak up. Jews and Palestinians can and do live together. I see it as my ancestral duty to fight for justice, peace and liberation for all.”
Pro-Palestinian demonstrator arrested after Pine Gap blockade
A woman has been arrested after pro-Palestine protesters blockaded access to a secretive military base in Central Australia.
Darwin Rally in support of Palestinians
Report on Darwin Rally by Diana Rickard
The rally in support of Palestine - and especially Gaza - went extremely well yesterday evening in Darwin. It was at the front of NT Parliament House (affectionately called 'the Wedding Cake') with 300-400 people attending.
Organised by UMNT, Amnesty, Islamic Society, Jews against Occupation and Territorians for Palestine it showed that - when given a chance - people of different faith (including science-faithist) groups, cultures and abilities can gather peacefully together. The speakers were more than good, they were inspirational. It was fantastic to see so many people at the rally.
Brisbane support for Palestinians - Just Peace Report
Just Peace Queensland Inc. – via its sub-group, Just Peace for Palestine - has spent most of October supporting the outpouring of anger and grief over the violence in Palestine and Israel.
Just Peace (JP) is a 20-year-old anti-war community organisation whose first aim is to determine the causes of conflict. The current violence in Palestine and Israel has its genesis in GENESIS, the first book of the Hebrew Bible. More recently other activities have played a role.
Some of the historical background to this violence has been the topic of speakers at major rallies in Brisbane since the 7th October. These occurred on October 13th (thousands) 21st (many thousands), and November 5th (See photos below). These rallies have been strongly supported by Just Peace Queensland.
Australians for War Powers Reform questions ADF deployment to Middle East and Australia's war material exports to Israel.
Dear Mr Marles
ADF deployment to the Middle East – October 2023
I write on behalf of Australians for War Powers Reform (AWPR) to seek clarification of Australia’s current defence posture in the Middle East following your announcement on 25 October 2023 that a significant number of troops would be dispatched along with two aircraft.......
Several senior defence experts have also suggested that a wider war may be on the cards including the possible involvement of Iran and the U.S. Can you assure Australians that we will not be involved in such a war? Has the government undertaken any risk assessment regarding our involvement in such a regional conflict?
READ Complete Letter HERE
What's going on with Australia's Defence Exports to Israel?
Australia has approved 52 defence exports to Israel in this calendar year alone – more than any other country we export to – but the Department of Defence says it cannot confirm how those military-specific goods and materials are being used, and whether or not they’re used in accordance with international law.
Earlier this week, new figures revealed the Australian government approved 322 defence exports to Israel between January 1, 2017 and March 31, 2023. The figures were disclosed by the government in response to questions on notice from Greens Senator David Shoebridge.
Collective punishment, selective truth and slow genocide
By Alison Broinowski
Inexact figures of dead, injured, and held hostage leave no doubt that in October, Israel intended its revenge attacks on Gaza to exceed the ferocity with which the new settlers wiped out their Palestinian neighbours in the Nakba (catastrophe) in 1948 and established the State of Israel.
Then and since, many more Palestinians than Israelis have died. The proportion is about 40:1, says former British ambassador Craig Murray. He points out that those who now invoke Israel’s right of self-defence denied the same right to the Palestinians for decades.
READ ON
No AUKUS Coalition Victoria Palestine Solidarity Message
The No AUKUS Coalition Victoria is appalled that the Australian Government has bowed to its AUKUS partners (U.S. & U.K.) and abstained from voting with the overwhelming majority of UN members in favour of a United Nations Resolution calling for immediate ceasefire in Gaza and allowing humanitarian aid to reach Palestinians in Gaza.
By abstaining from voting in favour of UN’s resolution for a ceasefire, the Australian government is showing its complicity in sanctioning and prolonging this horrendous slaughter of over 9,500 people, 40% of whom are children.
The majority of Australian people are appalled by the massacre in Gaza. They want an immediate ceasefire and to allow the urgent humanitarian aid to get to the people of Gaza where water, food, power and medicines have almost run out.
The No AUKUS Coalition Victoria urges this shameful position be changed and for Australia to join the world wide calls to end the slaughter of the Palestinian people in Gaza and the West Bank.
The Australian Government’s position is cowardly and, as usual, simply mirrors the United States’ policy.
Israeli Intelligence Ministry Policy Paper on Gaza’s Civilian Population, October 2023
"Policy paper: Options for a policy regarding Gaza’s civilian population
Executive summary
1.The State of Israel is required to bring about a significant change in the civilian reality in the Gaza Strip in light of the Hamas crimes that led to the “Iron Swords” war, therefore it must decide on a political objective regarding the civilian population in Gaza, which should be pursued concurrently with the overthrow of the Hamas regime"
VOICE Editor advises:
"The whole document can be read HERE
But their preferred option is moving the entire Gaza population to the Sinia, putting them in tents and re-educating them (the words de-nazification is used). They would use as a " justification" to the displaced people that Allah was punishing them for harboring Hamas"
Coming Events
Protest- Indo - Pacific Naval Expo- Darling Harbour, Sydney
Drown out the drums of war - March on Naval Expo
Tuesday, 7th November, 11am
Meet at Chinese Friendship Gardens, Darling Harbour
Organised by Wage Peace - Disrupt War and supported by others including IPAN
READ IPAN's Leaflet HERE
Nov 11th ZOOM MEETING ACCESS HERE
Meeting ID: 891 2967 5274
Passcode: 418048
Webinar oganised by The Australia Institute
12.30pn AEDT November 10th
Rex Patrick, Former Senator and ‘Transparency Warrior’,
Hadi Marifat, Director and co-founder of the Afghanistan Human Rights and Democracy Organization,
Rawan Arraf, Executive Director of the Australian Centre for International Justice,
Kieran Pender, Senior lawyer at the Human Rights Law Centre, and
Sharara Attai, Executive Director of the Islamophobia Register Australia.
Details and booking HERE
Truth not War Festival
Sunday 12th Nov at 1-3 pm
Glebe Park, ACT
Bands and Speakers
Rally for David McBride
(Whistleblower on ADF War crimes in Afghanistan)
His court case is on Monday November, 13th at 9am at ACT Courts.
Speakers outside court include:
Senator David Shoebridge, former ACT AG Bernard Collaery and Dr Sue Wareham (MAPW).
This rally is also for Julian Assange and Richard Boyle.
ACT Climate protesters in court
Comments
Sheila Newman
Sat, 2023-11-11 22:39
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IPAN AGM tomorrow Sunday 12 Nov 2023, 2.30pm AEDT via Zoom
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