The ACTU and Global Unions call for unified action to bring about an urgent and lasting ceasefire in Gaza.

The ACTU Executive has supported the call from Global Unions for unified action following an International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling on the Gaza genocide case.

The ACTU urged Israel “to comply with the ICJ’s Order to take immediate steps to prevent acts of genocide, punish incitement to genocide, and facilitate the provision of basic services and humanitarian assistance to Palestinians in Gaza”. “There must be an immediate de-escalation and ceasefire, and the creation of humanitarian corridors to allow humanitarian aid into Palestine unimpeded,” the ACTU said.

The international union organisation Global Unions has emphasised the gravity of the situation. “Our members in Gaza are being killed while they go about their work, including teachers, healthcare workers, transport workers, journalists, UN staff, international aid workers and many others,” it said. The ACTU noted the Australian Government had suspended funding to the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), despite UNRWA having suspended nine of its employees accused by the Israeli government of involvement in the Hamas attack on 7 October.

The ACTU called on the government to urgently reinstate the funding. “The cessation of funding to UNRWA – the main humanitarian actor in Gaza that provides critical support to Palestinians – has serious ramifications for humanitarian operations in Gaza.”