Australians overwhelmingly believe Israel’s deliberate blocking of aid into Gaza cannot be justified and that Australia should do more to ensure civilians have access to food, water and medicine, a new poll revealed. Source: Caritas Australia.
The polling figures follow an 11-week near-total aid blockade, which saw the re-emergence of the threat of famine and crisis levels of hunger among more than two million Palestinians.
The YouGov polling was commissioned by Caritas Australia, Oxfam Australia, ActionAid Australia, Plan International Australia, Union Aid Abroad-APHEDA, and ChildFund Australia.
All these aid organisations have been speaking out about the deprivation of aid to Palestinians in Gaza, and the record-breaking killing of aid workers, since late 2023.
The polling found that:
- 82 per cent of Australian voters feel that the prevention of food, medicine and water reaching civilians in Gaza is unjustified.
- 67 per cent believe that the Australian Government should do more to support civilians being able to access food, water, and medicine in Gaza.
The group of aid organisations welcomed Foreign Minister Penny Wong joining 22 other foreign ministers urging the Israeli Government to “allow a full resumption of aid into Gaza immediately and enable the UN and humanitarian organisations to work independently and impartially to save lives, reduce suffering and maintain dignity”.
They urged the Australian Government to continue to do more to support civilians being able to access food, water, and medicine in Gaza, in line with the expectations of most Australians.
“The situation in Gaza has presented Australians with a stark reminder of why International Humanitarian Law exists,” Caritas Australia chief executive Kirsten Sayers said.
“Failing to uphold these laws strikes at the heart of human dignity, with the vulnerable – children, women, the sick and the elderly – bearing the brunt and paying with their lives.
“What is taking place in Gaza is an extreme level of suffering that simply cannot be accepted.”
To support Caritas Australia’s Gaza Crisis Appeal, visit www.caritas.org.au/gaza.
FULL STORY
Most Australians find Israel’s denial of aid to Palestinians in Gaza unjustifiable (Caritas Australia)
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