Pro-Palestine activists protested at the office of Labor MP for Richmond, Justine Elliot, in Tweed Heads South on May 15, to mark the 77th commemoration of al Nakba (the catastrophe).
From 1947–1949, at least 750,000 Palestinians were made refugees outside their borders, as Zionist forces took control of more than 78% of historic Palestine. More than 500 villages and cities were ethnically cleansed and 15,000 Palestinians killed in a series of mass atrocities.
Three activists, including a participant in the 2024 Gaza Freedom Flotilla, climbed onto the roof to unfurl a banner, saying: “Let Gaza’s children live: No weapons for genocide!”
The three occupied the rooftop while being supported by about 40 protesters outside the MP’s office, including members of Northern Rivers Friends of Palestine.
“We stand here today, on the roof of our elected representative’s office, not because we wish to break the law or cause disruption, but because the unbearable suffering of our people has left us no other choice,” the activists said.
“We are not detached observers. We are Palestinian Australians. We are parents. We are survivors. And we are watching our communities, families, friends, and their children — starving to death in real time. We see their faces in our dreams. We hear their cries in our waking hours.
“The pain of this witnessing, and the shame of our government’s complicity, has driven us to this desperate act.
“The International Court of Justice — the highest legal authority in the world — has ruled that there is a plausible case of genocide being committed in Gaza.
“Under the Genocide Convention, Australia is not only morally bound, but legally obligated to act. It must do everything in its power to prevent genocide.
“Neutrality is not an option. Silence is not an option. Looking away is not an option. And yet, our government is failing. They have chosen cowardice. They have chosen complicity. They continue to approve weapons sales. They continue to offer diplomatic protection to a regime that is deliberately starving over a million people. They are ignoring the law. They are abandoning humanity.
“We are here to say: Enough.
“We demand that the Australian government end all arms sales to Israel and impose sanctions; recognise the State of Palestine; deploy immediate humanitarian aid, including medical support by sea; and face the people they claim to represent.
“We will not stand by while our government turns its back on justice. The world is watching. History is recording their silence. And we will not be silent any longer.
“We ask all people — of every background, every belief, anyone who still holds the most basic of moral values — to rise with us. To say: Don’t starve children. Don’t bomb babies. Don’t support genocide. Stand up. Speak out. Escalate — until every child is safe and every people is free.”
The Echo reported that after climbing down from the roof, NSW police arrested the three, charging them with trespassing. They were released on bail and will appear in court on June 16.
The activists say that, despite repeated requests over 18 months, Elliot has refused to meet them. They want her to ask her why she continues to remain silent about Israel’s genocide in Gaza, especially in light of the International Court of Justice ruling.
Subhi Awad said “Justine Elliot must look us in the eye and explain her complicity. We are here for one reason: to let the children of Gaza live.”
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