Three years of Gaza devastation: Australian Muslim leaders call for action on Palestine
Say Australia’s recognition of state of Palestine needs to be followed by meaningful action
SYDNEY, Australia (MNTV) — Australian Muslim representative bodies marked the third anniversary of Israel’s ongoing war on Gaza by calling on the Australian government to take stronger diplomatic and practical action to end Palestinian suffering and address what they describe as genocide and the continuing illegal occupation.
The Alliance of Australian Muslims (AAM) and the Australian National Imams Council (ANIC) said in a joint statement that three years of killing, destruction, displacement, starvation and suffering had left Palestinians facing an enduring humanitarian catastrophe.
The organizations said Palestinians remained missing beneath the rubble, while many deaths had yet to be fully recorded or accounted for.
They said entire families had been wiped out and neighbourhoods reduced to rubble, while hospitals, schools, mosques, churches and other essential civilian infrastructure had been destroyed or severely damaged.
“Generations of Palestinian children have been left orphaned, injured, displaced and traumatised,” the organizations said.
ANIC and AAM maintained that the devastation witnessed in Gaza constituted genocide and said it had occurred in full view of the international community and in violation of fundamental principles of international law and humanity.
The organizations also stressed that the announcement of a ceasefire agreement in October 2025 had not ended Palestinian deaths and suffering.
According to the statement, Palestinians had continued to be killed and injured, while humanitarian conditions remained critical and severe restrictions continued to affect humanitarian assistance and essential services.
The organizations said the scale of Gaza’s destruction could not simply be forgotten because the intensity of bombing had changed.
“For three years, the world has witnessed this catastrophe unfold in full view,” they said, arguing that international law, United Nations resolutions and repeated appeals from humanitarian organisations had failed to adequately protect Palestinians from killing, displacement, destruction and deprivation.
ANIC and AAM also placed the Gaza crisis within the broader history of the Palestinian question, saying Palestinian suffering did not begin on October 7, 2023. “For more than 78 years, Palestinians have endured dispossession, displacement, occupation and the continuing denial of their fundamental rights,” the statement said.
The organizations welcomed Australia’s formal recognition of the State of Palestine on September 21, 2025, describing it as an important and long-overdue step, but said recognition needed to be followed by meaningful action.
They called on the Australian Government to impose meaningful sanctions against Israel and take stronger diplomatic measures to end what they described as the illegal occupation, settlement expansion, forced displacement and violence.
They also urged Canberra to impose a comprehensive two-way arms embargo and ensure Australia did not contribute directly or indirectly to violations of international law.
The organizations further called for full, safe and unhindered humanitarian access throughout Gaza and urgent support for rebuilding homes, hospitals, schools and essential civilian infrastructure.
They urged the government to translate its recognition of Palestine into meaningful political and diplomatic support for Palestinians’ rights to freedom, dignity and self-determination.
ANIC and AAM, which represent more than 250 Muslim organizations and over 360 imams respectively, said they rejected antisemitism and all forms of hatred and discrimination.
At the same time, they rejected attempts to equate criticism of Israel, its government, policies or conduct with antisemitism, saying advocacy for Palestinian rights and accountability under international law should remain part of legitimate public debate.
The organizations also expressed gratitude to Australians from different faiths and backgrounds who had supported Palestinians through peaceful protests, advocacy and humanitarian assistance.
They called on Australian Muslims and all people of conscience to continue advocating peacefully and lawfully for Palestinian rights.
“The passage of time must never normalise injustice,” they said, stressing that advocacy should continue until Palestinians are free, their rights are upheld and justice is achieved.
Meanwhile, Australian Federation of Islamic Councils President Dr Rateb Jneid said:“For three years we have watched an extraordinary level of death, destruction, displacement and human suffering in Gaza. Australia has repeatedly expressed concern, but expressions of concern have not been matched by measures capable of imposing meaningful consequences on Israel.”
“AFIC believes Australia should now move beyond statements and narrowly targeted sanctions. This should include prohibiting trade in goods produced in illegal Israeli settlements, sanctioning individuals and entities that enable or profit from the illegal occupation and settlement enterprise, reviewing Australian organizations and charities that may be financially supporting illegal settlement activity, and ensuring that Australian military exports or defence-related assistance do not contribute to violations of international law. Australia should also be prepared to review its broader diplomatic and trade relationship with Israel.”
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