Call on your local councillors to put forward a motion of Ceasefire
This letter has been developed in collaboration with “Gather for Gaza” a grass roots social action group with members from across the Mid North Coast.
Please feel free to personalise your own letter.
“INSERT DATE”
Bellingen Shire Council
33 Hyde Street,
Bellingen, 2454
“INSERT YOUR LOCAL COUNCIL NAME
ADDRESS”
Dear Councillors,
I am writing as resident of “INSERT YOUR SHIRE”
I am writing as a concerned resident who is deeply distressed by what I have witnessed in the unfolding Israel-Gaza war over the last 150 days. I call it a war to follow the lead of Reuters, Al Jazeera and BBC. However the recent ICJ ruling has shown it’s plausible, I would argue probable that the global community are witnessing a livestreamed genocide.
The current Genocide has resulted in the deaths of 32,000 Palestinians with two thirds being infants, children and women. More than 74,518 wounded, and 10 children per day, on average, have lost one or both of their legs in Gaza due to Israels bombs, sent by USA, Australia, Canada, UK. If there was a funeral everyday for the infants, toddlers and children’s lives who were taken by Israeli airstrikes, forced starvation and medical deprivation.
It would take 27 years to bury them
And a further 82 years to bury all civilians who have been killed by the IDF.
I implore you to imagine if these were your family members, your people, your homeland and ask yourselves, why would anyone in their right mind be against a Ceasefire?
To follow the example set by the City of Sydney, City of Randwick (NSW), Inner West (NSW), Canterbury-Bankstown (NSW), City of Darebin (VIC), City of Wyndham (VIC), City of Merri-Bek (VIC), City of Hume (VIC), and City of Dandenong (VIC) who have all passed motions for ceasefire. The City of Brimbank passed a motion Feb 21 2024, and just recently on Friday March 22nd City of Banyule also passed a ceasefire motion. We are asking for your support to put up a motion to “INSERT YOUR SHIRE” that might include the following;
Acknowledges and mourns the tragic and horrific loss of civilian lives and condemns attacks on all civilians.
Acknowledges that the current crisis did not begin on October 7 2023, it began with the occupation of Palestine by the state of Israel and forced displacement of Palestinians over seven decades before.
Acknowledges widespread concern from governments, NGOs and Human rights agencies including Amnesty International, United Nations Special Rapporteurs, and the UN’s Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Occupied Palestinian Territory in regards to the proportionality of the state of Israel’s response and indications of serious war crimes.
Strongly condemns the sustained air, ground and sea bombing of Gaza which includes;
a) bombing of residential neighborhoods, tents, schools, health facilities, mosques and churches where civilians are sheltering.
b) Strongly the condemns the use of white phosphorus (a chemical weapon)
c) Strongly condemns the denial of aid, including food, water, fuel, electricity, internet, and medical supplies to the people of Gaza.
5. Council to develop a report of contracts with companies that support the illegal occupation of Palestine or profit from it, especially companies that supply equipment to the Israeli Defence Force. Council to consider ending these contracts.
6. Writes to the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister calling on the Australian Government to:
a) Urge the Australian Government to support international efforts for an immediate sustainable humanitarian ceasefire to enable peace negotiations and a pathway to achieving lasting peace.
b) Call for an immediate lifting of the siege on Gaza and allow unlimited flows of access to food, water, food, electricity, medical supplies and construction materials.
c) Advocate for release of all hostages, both Israeli and Palestinian.
d) End all political, economic, military and diplomatic ties with the state of Israel until it complies with its obligations under International law and measures set forth by the ICJ.
e) Advocate for a peaceful political resolution to the decades long conflict that includes an end to the illegal occupation of Palestinian Territories.
7. Reaffirms our local area as a diverse and welcoming community which stands united against all forms of racism, including islamophobia, and anti-semitism
8. I ask that all elected officials considering signing onto APAN’s Statement by Current and Former Australian Elected Representatives on the Situation in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfGidzUbtvn-9tYVn9JCHkpGLUIZRnqceKTtiYeDPv14863_Q/viewform
Yours Sincerely
“INSERT YOUR NAME”
Contacts - CHOOSE YOUR LGA AND EMAIL YOUR COUNCILLORS
Contacts for Bellingen Shire Council Councillors - link
Contacts for Nambucca Shire Councillors
Contacts for Coffs Harbour Councillors
Contacts for Clarence Valley Councillors (Grafton/Yamba Surrounds).
Contact for Kempsey Shire Councillors