8 months ago
1510
On 19 September 2025, Friends of the Earth Asia Pacific sent an open letter to the Australian government, demanding that they recognise the State of Palestine as promised, without conditions. Below is a digital copy of our letter to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese
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Dear Prime Minister Albanese,
We are writing to you from Friends of the Earth Asia Pacific, a regional network within Friends of the Earth International, a global federation of environmental organisations operating in 73 countries. We focus on addressing the most pressing environmental and social issues of our time. Friends of the Earth Asia Pacific consists of 12 member organisations, including the Palestinian Environmental NGOs Network (PENGON – FoE Palestine) and Friends of the Earth Australia.
We endorse and advocate for the full and unconditional recognition of the State of Palestine. In light of the upcoming United Nations General Assembly, we take the opportunity to call on the Australian government to honour its pledge to recognise a Palestinian state – a vital and overdue step that we strongly support. However, we are deeply concerned that your announcement frames this recognition as predicated on certain conditions.
It is unconscionable and unjust that the recognition of the sovereignty of a state and the right to self-determination of its people must hinge on any requirements, let alone those asking them to disarm in the face of genocidal hostility from Israel, or placing conditions on their democratic processes, diplomatic positions and even educational curriculums. By doing so Australia imposes conditions solely on a population who are currently under a brutal, genocidal, and illegal occupation, but none on the occupiers themselves.
It must be made explicitly clear: the recognition of a Palestinian state must be unconditional. For 147 UN Member States who have already recognised the State of Palestine, and rising, this is the case. By placing conditions on the realisation of fundamental rights of a people, Australia presents itself as a biased, compromised and complicit actor in the midst of a genocide. To not stand for universal human rights is to find oneself increasingly isolated on the wrong side of history.
We furthermore remind that there is indeed no practical effect when it comes to recognition alone, but the symbolic and diplomatic weight of such a decision carries significant meaning and then must be followed up with sustained support for the realisation of the fundamental rights of the Palestinian people.
Empty condemnations or promises for recognition by themselves are not enough – only urgent and decisive action can begin to address the magnitude of this crisis. And so, the Australian Government is obligated to do all that is necessary to bring an end to Israel’s ongoing illegal occupation and blocking of humanitarian aid.
On that note, we also reiterate our call for:
- Coordinating with United Nations, humanitarian organisations and the international community to support the deployment of a humanitarian convoy to Gaza, and support the immediate, safe passage of aid.
- Australia to support the end of Israel’s illegal occupation of Palestinian land, in line with international law and numerous UN resolutions.
- Impose immediate country-level sanctions and a two-way arms embargo on Israel,
- Sever economic and military ties with Israel, including the cessation of any continued provision of arms and fuel including coal exports, dual-use items, and military-intelligence support by the Australian government or companies based in Australia.
- Support international legal accountability for Israel, including at the International Criminal Court, to end to political protection to Israel or shielding of alleged Israeli war criminals from legal accountability
- implement domestic legal safeguards, such as the Red Lines Package of legislation, to ensure Australia does not aid or abet war crimes, illegal settlements and crimes against humanity.
- Establish emergency humanitarian visa pathways and prioritise fast tracking all pending applications for Palestinians
- Stop rendering aid to the occupation
The Australian government must also exercise its influence in pushing allied states, especially the United States and European countries, to reconsider their stance and uphold the collective duty to international law and human rights by any diplomatic means necessary.
Citizens in Australia, like many of those around the world, have been relentlessly calling for a ceasefire and justice for the Palestinian people and these values must be rightfully represented on the world stage by a government elected to serve and represent its people. We cannot afford to wait for the next phase of this humanitarian crisis to worsen any further.
According to research from PENGON – Friends of the Earth Palestine, Israel’s deliberate targeting and control of water has turned it into a weapon of war. Gaza’s water resources have been systematically contaminated and depleted, leaving families with no safe options. Before the war, Gazans used on average 82 liters of water per day—already below the World Health Organization’s recommended minimum of 100 liters. Today, those who still have access survive on just 2 to 3 liters per person per day. No family should ever be forced to choose between thirst and contamination.
Any country in a position to end the genocide has a legal, moral, and humanitarian duty to do so – the government of Australia is not exempt from this. Gaza cannot afford any further delay, and Australia can lead by example to take action against Israel’s ongoing violations of human rights. We call on the Australian Government to take immediate, decisive measures to end the suffering of Palestinians on the hands of Israel and ensure justice prevails. Furthermore, we urge the Australian Government to officially recognise the State of Palestine, affirming its right to self-determination and sovereignty.
The time to act is now.
Thank you.
Yours sincerely,
Friends of the Earth Asia Pacific
Signatories of FoE Asia Pacific:
Friends of the Earth Australia
Palestinian Environmental NGOs Network
Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association
Centre for Environmental Justice
Centre for Environmental Law and Community Rights, Inc
Forum for Protection of Public Interest – Pro Public
Friends of the Earth India
Friends of the Earth Japan
Korean Federation for Environmental Movement
Sahabat Alam Malaysia
The Legal Rights and Natural Resources Center
Wahana Lingkungan Hidup Indonesia
