UN Commissioner urges Wollongong to act 'in the cause of justice' for children in Gaza
'Wollongong has historically stood in solidarity with movements beyond Australia’s national borders,' writes Chris Sidoti in today's op ed. The UN Commissioner and neurosurgeon Dr Ruth Mitchell will speak at a Fraternity Club forum this Thursday night
By UN Commissioner Chris Sidoti
The UN Commission of Inquiry report ‘The Essence of Childhood Has Been Destroyed: Israel’s deliberate targeting of Palestinian children in the Occupied Palestinian Territory since 7 October 2023 was devastating to write.
It documents more than 20,000 children killed and over 40,000 badly injured in Gaza over the past three years. Gaza has the highest number of child amputees per capita globally. The report identifies the Israeli Defence Forces’ mass slaughter of children in the saturation bombing and the deliberate targeting of Palestinian children, particularly of young boys. These intentional actions were accompanied by other operations which particularly affect children, such as systematic starvation and attacks on maternity and neonatal hospital wards. Our Commission was compelled to conclude that the IDF is operating with genocidal intent.
Today I write directly to the Wollongong community to urge change in the role that Wollongong is playing in relation to Israel’s continuing genocidal campaign in Gaza.
Wollongong has historically stood in solidarity with movements beyond Australia’s national borders that have sought to address illegal or immoral actions.
The Illawarra has been the site of community action and union solidarity against the Japanese invasion of China in the Dalfram Dispute in the 1930s, for Indonesia in its fight against colonialism through the Black Armada campaign in the 1940s, against Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam war in the 1960s and against the apartheid regime in South Africa from the late 1940s to the 1980s.
More recently, Wollongong sent a strong message internationally when the Port Kembla Mission to Seafarers raised concerns about the health and safety of crew on board the MV Maryam, leading to an Australian-wide ban of the vessel for 36 months.
Now we need action in Wollongong again in the cause of justice because some Illawarra businesses may be enabling Israel’s genocidal war on the children of Gaza.
Bisalloy Steel, a local manufacturer, announced a decade ago that it was supplying armoured steel to Israeli state-owned and private defence companies, with Australian Government approval. Steel can be used for military or civilian purposes but Bisalloy has made it clear that its steel supplied to Israel was for use in armoured vehicles. It seems that this export trade is continuing.
I understand that many Wollongong residents are appalled to be so directly connected to the IDF war machine and its gross violations of international law.
At a forum on 3 September at the Fraternity Club Ballroom in Fairy Meadow, I will present the Commission’s report on Israel’s systematic destruction of childhood in Palestine, alongside Dr Ruth Mitchell, a neurosurgeon who worked in Gaza recently.
We will speak about children murdered by Israeli snipers and drones and injuries they suffered to the head or genitals by precision weaponry. We will urge Australian industry to stop supporting these practices. We invite you to attend.
Australia must comply with international law, acting to prevent genocide. Wollongong people, like all Australians, have important roles to play.
About the writer
Chris Sidoti is an international human rights lawyer. He is currently a Commissioner of the United Nations Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel and was Australian Human Rights Commissioner.
Tickets for the 3 September Forum, including supper, are available via the TryBooking platform
