| “This ceasefire, if honoured, may bring a desperately needed halt to the killing, but it is not peace,” said AFIC President Dr Rateb Jneid. |
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AFIC Responds to Ceasefire Developments in Gaza: Cautious Optimism, but Justice Must Follow
09/10/2025
(See translation in Arabic section)
Sydney-Middle East Times Int'l: The Australian Federation of Islamic Councils (AFIC) acknowledges reports of an initial ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas aimed at ending nearly two years of atrocities and devastation in Gaza. We welcome any development that halts the genocide, ethnic cleansing, prevents further loss of life, and provides relief to the millions of Palestinians who have endured unimaginable suffering, as well as to the families of Israeli hostages awaiting the safe return of their loved ones.
AFIC approaches this moment, however, with cautious optimism, tempered by the painful reality that past ceasefire announcements have repeatedly collapsed under the weight of continued occupation, settler violence, and political bad faith. This must not be another temporary pause before the next wave of destruction. Nor can it be used to launder the crimes of the last two years out of public memory.
“This ceasefire, if honoured, may bring a desperately needed halt to the killing, but it is not peace,” said AFIC President Dr Rateb Jneid. “True peace cannot come without justice. And justice begins with acknowledging what has happened, holding perpetrators accountable, and finally addressing the root causes of this conflict: the occupation, the blockade, and the denial of Palestinian self-determination.”
While the proposed plan involves phased demilitarisation, hostages-for-prisoners exchanges, and the entry of humanitarian aid, it remains far from a comprehensive political solution. The trauma of the last two years, the flattening of entire neighbourhoods, the starvation of civilians, the mass killing of well over 100,000 people, cannot simply be swept aside in the name of “normalisation.”
AFIC reiterates that long-term peace will remain illusory unless there is a genuine and sustained effort to:
• Recognise and redress more than 75 years of systemic injustice, dispossession, and occupation imposed on the Palestinian people
• Ensure accountability for the genocide committed in Gaza over the last two years, through international legal mechanisms and tribunals
• Guarantee the right of return, statehood, and sovereignty for Palestinians in accordance with international law
• End the blockade and dismantle the apartheid structures that continue to dominate every aspect of Palestinian life
We support all good-faith diplomatic efforts that prioritise human dignity, equal rights, and international law. We also extend our prayers and solidarity to all victims of this conflict and to all those continuing to work towards a just and lasting resolution.
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AFIC, established in 1964, stands as the Peak Muslim Organisation in Australia, with 170 members including 9 State and Territory Councils. It has a rich history of pioneering numerous community services and actively advocating for the rights and representation of the Muslim community.
Authorised:
Dr Rateb Jneid, President |
