The Australian Food Sovereignty Alliance stands firmly against all systems of oppression and for the right to sovereignty over lands, resources, and food. In the appalling tragedies currently being faced in Gaza and the West Bank, we express our solidarity with the Palestinian people in their fight for liberation in the face of illegal Israeli occupation.

As the siege of Gaza continues, currently 2.3 million citizens are cut from accessing basic needs for survival, including clean water, food, medical supplies, and hygiene and sanitation services. Food is a fundamental human right, not to be used as a weapon of war. Israel’s genocidal policies are systematically destroying food chains and means of sufficiency including vital agricultural and fishing infrastructure.

As an immediate measure, we write as a collective voice to urge the Australian Government to sanction Israel, end the two-way arms trade, call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire and the the opening of Gaza to full humanitarian relief efforts, including safe access to medical aid, food, water, and fuel. We urge the Government to exert all possible influence with Australia’s international partners to do the same.

In the ongoing conflict, the Gaza Health Ministry reports that by the end of July 2025:

More than 62,686 Palestinians have reportedly been killed since the start of Israel’s military operations.  157,951 are reported to have been injured, and thousands of people remain missing. 

We are appalled with all Western governments who continue to be complicit in the ongoing colonisation of Palestine, where blatant violations of humanitarian and international law are perpetuated.  Conversely, we are extremely proud of all who have shown up in solidarity with Palestinians and Indigenous Peoples around the world to march for an end to Israel’s genocide, calling for sanctions on Israel and an end to two-way arms trade. 

At the 8th La Via Campesina conference in Bogotá, Colombia, our hearts ached for our Palestinian comrades who shared their on the ground accounts of aggression. They shared that farmers continue to be denied access to their fields and face violence from Israeli forces including state-sponsored settler violence, and families’ boats have been a part of targeted attacks, completely destroying access to sustenance.

We have on this land all of that which makes life worth living

On this land

The lady of our land

The mother of all beginnings

And the mother of all ends

She was called Palestine

-Mahmoud Darwish

We share our love and strength with the people and all the fisherfolk, farmers, and peasants of Palestine. We need food sovereignty to be realized in all parts of the world, now!

Resources for building Palestinian solidarity

• Boycott, Divestment, Sanction
  • Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) is a Palestinian-led movement for freedom, justice and equality. BDS upholds the simple principle that Palestinians are entitled to the same rights as the rest of humanity.
    • Boycotts involve withdrawing support from Israel’s apartheid regime, complicit Israeli sporting, cultural, and academic institutions, and all Israeli and international companies engaged in violations of Palestinian human rights. Want a guide on what products, businesses and services to boycott? Head here. 
    • Divestment campaigns urge banks, local councils, churches, pension funds, and universities to withdraw investments from the State of Israel and all Israeli and international companies that sustain Israeli apartheid.
    • Sanctions campaigns pressure governments to fulfill their legal obligations to end Israeli apartheid and not aid or assist its maintenance by banning business with illegal Israeli settlements, ending military trade and free-trade agreements, as well as suspending Israel’s membership in international forums such as UN bodies and FIFA.
• The Australia Palestine Advocacy Network (APAN) has also put together a Boycott, Divestment & Sanctions (BDS) Toolkit which you can download here. 
• Email your local MP and demand sanctions on Israel. 
• Join local events, protests and marches for Palestine which are organised by local Palestine Action Groups or other community groups in your region. As well as standing in solidarity with Palestinians and First Peoples to, gathering with others who share your views fosters a sense of community and belonging which can help alleviate the sadness and anxiety caused by watching a genocide unfold in real time.