Israel-Gaza Conflict
Australian Senator Mehreen Faruqi remains a vocal advocate for a Gaza ceasefire, leading protests in the national parliament despite opposition from the center-left Labor government. As deputy leader of the Australian Greens, she is determined to amplify the “peoples’ protests” in the parliamentary setting.
With 11 senators, the Greens attempted a Senate vote for a ceasefire, but both major parties united against it, illustrating their disregard for Gaza’s plight.
Faruqi, boycotting question time and orchestrating Senate protests, asserts her commitment to using the parliamentary platform unapologetically for the ceasefire, an end to the Palestinian occupation, and the right to self-determination. She condemns the major parties for ignoring Gaza’s atrocities and refuses to remain silent during such injustices.
The Australian government’s reluctance to join the UN General Assembly’s call for a humanitarian truce reflects poorly on its responsiveness to the Australian people. Despite widespread marches demanding peace, the government dismisses calls for a ceasefire, demonstrating a lack of consideration for the voices that elected them.
Faruqi criticizes Australia’s clandestine weapons trade with Israel, implicating the country in the Gaza massacre. She calls for an immediate halt to military exports to Israel and denounces Australia’s shielding of Israel from accountability over the 75 years of the Palestinian occupation.
With 11 seats in the Senate, the Greens play a crucial role in bringing the demands of the majority for justice and peace into parliament. Faruqi, marching with protesters, ensures that the government cannot ignore the calls for a ceasefire and an end to Israel’s occupation of Palestine. Overall, Australian Greens Deputy Leader Mehreen Faruqi leads protests in parliament, advocating for a ceasefire in the Israel-Gaza conflict.
