Sydney, 25^th February 2024 — Families for Palestine, a grassroots movement responding to the ongoing genocide in Palestine, is intensifying its call for action. Since starting the sit-in on Sunday, 11^th February 2024, 6pm, outside PM Anthony Albanese’s office at 334A Marrickville Rd, Marrickville NSW 2204, our peaceful protest has continued nonstop for the past two weeks. We stand united against the genocide in Palestine and call for an immediate ceasefire, restoration of UNRWA funding, and an end to Australia’s support for Israel.

Alarming statistics and developments in Palestine:

In the devastating reality of the ongoing genocide in Gaza, recent data from Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor highlight alarming statistics as of day 140 of the genocide (7 October 2023 – 23 February 2024). The toll includes 38,066 lives lost, with 14,350 being children, 326 healthcare professionals, and 130 journalists. The impact extends to 71,220 injuries, 2 million displaced people, 99,600 completely destroyed homes, and 406 damaged or destroyed schools. Healthcare facilities, including 28 hospitals, have been destroyed or significantly affected, along with the destruction of 199 heritage sites. A further, 3,120 people have been detained or forcibly disappeared. Meanwhile, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) reports a dire situation, treating patients with catastrophic injuries, amputations without anaesthesia, and severe burns amid a lack of resources, while a report from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and the Johns Hopkins Center for Humanitarian Health warns of projected excess deaths rising to 74,290 under an ‘escalation of the conflict’ scenario. A report by the Global Nutrition Cluster emphasises the severe food crisis in Gaza, with over 90% of children under 2 and pregnant or breastfeeding women facing severe food poverty. Updates by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) also underscores the toll in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, with 399 Palestinians killed, 4,545 injured, and a disturbing number of punitive demolitions resulting in the displacement of innocent civilians, particularly in refugee camps.

Personal Stories from the Ground:

In the heartbreaking testimonies from individuals directly affected by the ongoing genocide, Save the Children aid worker Nour, currently in Rafah, paints a distressing picture of her relatives’ desperation in northern Gaza. She reveals, “My husband told me people have resorted to eating bird and animal food and tree leaves out of desperation. He has been forced to scavenge for scraps of food; he recently found scraps in his sister’s house that had already been ruined by rats but washed them and ate them anyway because there is literally nothing else left to eat. He said he will not perish from bombs, but from scarcity of food.”

Simultaneously, Palestinian photojournalist Motaz Azaiza sheds light on the challenges faced by those attempting to report from Gaza. In an interview with The Guardian, Azaiza highlights Israel’s deliberate obstruction, stating:

Israel won’t allow international journalists into Gaza and is killing those reporting from within… It is a deliberate attempt to obscure the Palestinian narrative and erase the truth… For the last 75 years, no one has been able to hold Israel accountable for its crimes… Israel is emboldened by the support of countries such as the UK and US, which allow it to act with complete impunity… As humans, we all have a responsibility to bear witness to what is happening in Gaza… I tried my best to show the world our reality, now the world needs to show where it stands. It is ordinary people, men and women, who have the power to save what remains of Palestine. Our plea is simple – we just want to live. (Motaz Azaiza in The Guardian)

Advocacy and Action:

In a powerful display of collective concern and solidarity, Families for Palestine together with members of other organisations, such as Palestine Justice Movement, The Greens, PSA for Palestine, ASU Action for Palestine, and Nurses & Midwives 4 Palestine, have gathered outside the office of PM Anthony Albanese, demanding his unequivocal support for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the restoration to UNRWA funding, and an end to support for Israel.

Distressed by the alarming statistics that reveal a heartbreaking reality, where a child in Gaza is killed every 10 minutes, these impassioned advocates insist that ‘enough is enough’. The anguish of witnessing such unrelenting atrocities has prompted these citizens to take a stand, calling for an end to the violence and Australia’s complicity in it.

Experts’ Warnings:

UN experts have issued a stern warning against the transfer of weapons or ammunition to Israel, stressing its potential violation of international humanitarian law. They emphasise that “States must refrain from transferring any weapon or ammunition – or parts for them – if it is expected, given the facts or past patterns of behaviour, that they would be used to violate international law.” Simultaneously, other UN experts underscore the urgent need to address the severe disruption of schooling, destruction of housing, and the heightened risk faced by women and girls in Gaza and the West Bank. In a separate statement, members of the Special Procedures of the UN Human Rights Council have expressed alarm over credible allegations of egregious human rights violations against Palestinian women and girls. Shockingly, reports suggest arbitrary executions of Palestinian women and children, with victims allegedly holding white pieces of cloth while seeking refuge. The experts denounce arbitrary detentions, detailing instances of inhuman treatment, denial of basic necessities, severe beatings, and multiple forms of sexual assault. 

With regards to Australia’s responsibilities, Rawan Arraf, Executive Director at the Australian Centre for International Justice, emphasises that Australia is now on notice from the International Court of Justice regarding the serious risk of genocide in Gaza. She calls on the Australian government to review its ties to Israel, impose sanctions, suspend defence industry partnerships, and support the investigation at the International Criminal Court. Arraf stresses the need to investigate Australian citizens serving with the Israeli military for potential international crimes and ensure swift action by the ICC.

Organisers’ Determination:

“After weeks of sit-ins and countless attempts to engage with our leaders, we find ourselves here and in Marrickville with a 24/7 picket, demanding Prime Minister Anthony Albanese end the government’s support for Israel, that he demand a permanent ceasefire, and that he reinstate UNRWA funding,” says Sara Shaweeesh, a Palestinian woman and organiser for Families . “Our resolve remains unyielding. We will make those in power, like Albanese, uncomfortable. As long as Gaza is occupied and its people are being slaughtered, they shall find no peace either. Our message is clear: change the narrative, align with justice, equality, and human dignity, or be prepared for the consequences.”

Dr Alba Boer Cueva, another organiser for Families for Palestine, asserts, “Families for Palestine stands united against the genocide of the Palestinian people. Guided by a collective ethos of care, love, and dignity, we cannot remain silent in the face of these atrocities. We unite our voices with millions worldwide, echoing the collective call for an end to these horrors. The time for a permanent and unconditional ceasefire is now. Our government must restore UNRWA funding and cease its support for Israel.”

Our objectives remain the same. We demand:

• a ceasefire;
• restoration of UNRWA funding; 
• direct government engagement with Australian Palestinians affected by the genocide, including those with families in Gaza and those whose families have been killed;
• equal treatment for all victims of terrorism, including fair distribution of the $75,000 government grants, ensuring that both Australian Israelis and Australians Palestinians have access to the support they need;
• re-establishment of consular support to facilitate the safe passage and relocation of individuals with Australian visas; 
• fair and unbiased media coverage by major outlets on the genocide; and
• an end to Australia’s support of Israel.

Engagement with Government Officials:

While Families for Palestine’s nonstop sit-in outside PM Anthony Albanese’s office has garnered widespread public support, it is regrettable to note that there has been no acknowledgment or engagement from any government officials.

The only exception is The Greens at local, state, and federal levels who have expressed their strong support for Families for Palestine and the ongoing 24/7 sit-in outside PM Anthony Albanese’s office. In a media release dated 21 February 2024, The Greens highlighted their endorsement of the peaceful pro-Palestine protest, emphasising the importance of raising awareness about the atrocities in Gaza and calling for immediate action. Read The Greens’ full media release here.

Impact of the Sit-In:

As we enter the third week of our sit-in, the impact resonates far beyond the physical presence outside PM Anthony Albanese’s office. Our persistence symbolises the unwavering commitment of the community to ending the genocide in Gaza. The sit-in has become a powerful visual and symbolic representation of our collective plea for a ceasefire, restoration of UNRWA funding, and an end to Australia’s support for Israel. The sit-in is not just an act of protest; it’s a call for accountability, empathy, and urgent action by the Australian government. Our hope is that our peaceful demonstration prompts a response from the Prime Minister, fostering a dialogue that can pave the way for meaningful change and help bring an end to the suffering in Palestine.

Event Details:

• Location: 334A Marrickville Rd, Marrickville NSW 2204
• Start Date and Time: Sunday, 11^th February 2024, 6pm
• Duration: Ongoing

Photographs and Videos of the Sit-In:
Explore visuals and updates from the Families for Palestine sit-in through the following Instagram profiles:

• Families for Palestine: Instagram @familiesforpalestine
• Pink Kitchen: Instagram @pinkkitchen
• Little Palestine at Albo’s: Instagram @littlepalestineatalbos

Follow these Instagram profiles to stay updated on the latest visuals and stories from the 24/7 sit-in at PM Albanese’s office.

Media Coverage:

• SBS News: He was one of us: Why this group stays overnight outside Anthony Albanese’s office
• The Guardian: Round-the-clock protest outside PM’s office over Palestine enters third week
• Pedestrian TV: 24-Hour Sit-In Outside Anthony Albanese’s Office
• Everything is Fine: The 24/7 Sit-In for Gaza Outside Albanese’s Office
• Middle East Monitor: Protesters Hold 24/7 Picket Outside Australian Prime Minister’s Office in Marrickville
• Honi Soit: Activists Stage Indefinite Sit-In at Albanese’s Marrickville Office to Call for a Free Palestine
• 3CR Community Radio: No Police Pride, Families for Palestine Outside Albo’s Office – Sit-In Intifada
• Mirage News: NSW Police Threaten to Shut Down Pro-Palestine 24/7 Sit-In
• Green Left: Round-the-Clock People’s Picket for Palestine Sets at Prime Minister’s Office
• Green Left: Israel Continues Its Genocide in Gaza: Protesters Demand Labor Cut Ties
• Sydney Criminal Lawyers: We Will Remain Here As Long As It Takes: Interview with the 24/7 Gaza Picket at the PM’s Office
• Professional Photography by John Janson Moore: Palestine Sit-In at the Offices of PM Albanese

How You Can Support:

• Join the Sit-in: Attend the vigil at any time to show your support for peace and justice.
• Media Coverage: Journalists and media outlets are invited to cover this peaceful demonstration and bring attention to the urgent issues at hand.
• Social Media: Share updates and use the hashtags #LittlePalestineAtAlbos #CampForCeasefire #FamiliesForPalestine to amplify the message.