Sydney - Middle East Times Int’l: The Australian Federation of Islamic Councils (AFIC) vehemently condemns the recent Israeli military strikes on Rafah, which have resulted in the further killing of innocent lives in some of the most horrific and barbaric scenes we have seen to date. This attack not only violates recent International Court of Justice orders but also occurs amid an application from the International Criminal Court’s Chief Prosecutor for warrants against Israeli leadership for ongoing war crimes.

Considering these grave violations and the ongoing humanitarian crisis, AFIC is deeply dismayed by the inadequate response of the international community, including Australia.  Statements that claim that Palestinians are used as human shields effectively shift the blame to the victims themselves and undermine the severity of the actions taken against them.

AFIC urgently calls on the Australian government to take decisive actions, including:

• Expelling the Israeli Ambassador to send a clear message that Australia does not condone disregard for international law and human rights.

• Implementing economic sanctions against Israel until it complies with international directives and ceases its aggressive military actions.

• Intensify lobbying internationally for a real concerted effort to ensure compliance with international law and stop mass killings immediately.

"We urge all nations and international bodies to intervene effectively. Silence and inaction in this context do not just represent diplomatic caution; they are complicity in the ongoing violence," Dr. Jneid concluded, ‘how many more people must die, how many more laws must be broken in order for the world to take real action to stop this massacre.’

AFIC implores the Australian government to act swiftly and decisively. Silence and inactivity at this juncture contribute to the suffering and further destabilisation of the region and only serve to show how impotent the world is in the face of Israeli aggression.

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