05/06/2024 – Sydney

NIF welcomes the latest ceasefire proposal announced by President Biden this weekend, and urges all parties to this conflict to accept this deal. The deal would finally allow the residents of Gaza to start rebuilding their lives and to bring the hostages being held there home. 

With news on Monday of four hostages confirmed dead, and the death toll continuing to rise to devastating heights in Gaza, we reiterate our calls for a ceasefire and the immediate return of the hostages. It is only through these steps, that we can begin the important work towards a two-state solution that will ensure peace and security for all in the region.

Far-right government ministers, Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir have threatened to leave the governing coalition if it accepts its own ceasefire deal. Good. These extremists have no place in government in any liberal democracy and their opposition to returning the hostages demonstrates their fanaticism. The ceasefire deal has support from a broad spectrum of leaders from the Opposition Leader, Yair Lapid to the ultra-orthodox party, Shas. The Netanyahu government has the support that it needs to accept this deal and it and must do what it can to have it implemented.

In a poll of Australian Jewry released earlier this week, three quarters of respondents confirmed a close connection to Israel and 79% also expressed concern about the lives of Palestinians in Gaza. 

A significant proportion of the Australian Jewish community grieves for the unnecessary loss of life in this conflict on all sides. We know that this war has come at a devastating cost, and the longer it goes on, the more lives will be lost. 

We support calls from the Australian government for an immediate ceasefire. We urge our elected leaders to exert pressure on all parties to this conflict to establish a ceasefire and immediately return all hostages. 

Media contact:

Michael Chaitow (NIF), 0432 629 342

About Us

NIF Australia

NIF Australia was formed in 2011, joining an international community-funded philanthropic foundation with presence in the USA, UK, Canada, Germany, Switzerland and Israel.  NIF Australia has raised millions of dollars, distributing grants to important civil society organisations working in Israel-Palestine, and facilitating new conversations about Israel-Palestine inside the Australian Jewish community. Our community promotes freedom, equality and social justice by funding like-minded Israeli nonprofits of all races and religions and fostering new discussions in the Australian Jewish community.