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ASIA PACIFIC GREENS FEDERATION
The Asia Pacific Greens Federation (APGF), the largest chapter of the Global Greens, calls for an immediate arms embargo on Israel and for all participating nations to stop the supply of lethal arms and weapons to Israel, and to save humanity in the Middle East region.
Over 40,000 people have been killed so far in Palestine by the Israeli forces, and now Lebanon has also witnessed more than 2,000 citizens killed by Israel. The devastating bombings in Palestine and Lebanon have not only violated international law and regional peace but also claimed innocent lives and forced millions to flee their homes, including refugees in Lebanon.
We note with pain that the humanitarian catastrophe in Palestine has worsened, yet unconditional military support and the provision and trade of arms and all weaponry continues. As the suffering of the people of Palestine continues unimpeded, humanitarian aid and food are openly obstructed and attacks on aid workers and mass displacements are occurring at extremely unprecedented levels.
We note also that the Israeli hostages being held in Gaza have not been released and call for their immediate release.
We note that the majority of countries around the world recognise Palestine and are sympathetic to the plight of its people.
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled in January there was a ‘plausible risk of a genocide’ in Gaza and issued Orders relating to war crimes and crimes against humanity that were being committed. In May this Court issued new Orders calling on Israel to immediately halt its military offensive in Gaza. This Court also ruled that Israel’s military occupation of the West Bank, East Jerusalem and Gaza was illegal and that all troops and settlers must be removed from these occupied territories. Additionally, the International Criminal Court advised that arrest warrants should be issued against Israel’s prime minister Netanayhu and other government ministers. There is no doubt Israel’s pursuit of genocide is horrifyingly real. Until the governments stop selling arms to Israel, they are complicit in the killing of civilians in Gaza.
Everyone in Gaza is in desperate need of humanitarian assistance but the ongoing blockade and attacks have made it impossible for humanitarian organisations to do their work. To stop the death and destruction, to get aid to those who need it, and to safely get hostages out, the world must play its part in securing a ceasefire — starting by ending arms sales to Israel now. Only then can the hard work of building lasting peace and justice for Palestinians and Israelis start. Also, this not only will end these countries’ complicity but will also send a powerful message that they are serious about supporting an immediate and permanent ceasefire.
With the Israeli land invasion into Lebanon now and aerial bombings there and in Yemen we believe humanity is standing on the brink of a serious catastrophe and seek to work together globally to address such issues. The Green parties affiliated to the APGF express their solidarity with the people in Palestine and Lebanon and reiterate that the APGF Green parties are appalled by the atrocities in the Middle East and call on other Greens around the world to do the same.
We request that governments immediately impose an arms embargo on Israel and stop the approval of arms licences to the companies that are exporting weapons to Israel and an end to all weapons imports from Israel. This is just one crucial step towards an immediate and permanent ceasefire for all in Palestine, Lebanon, Israel and all in the Middle East.
