Whoever destroys a single life, the Torah considers it as if they destroyed an entire world. And whoever saves a single life, the Torah considers it as if they saved an entire world.
Talmud, Sanhedrin 37a

Yesterday, we received confirmation that the remains of Shiri, Kfir and Ariel Bibas have been returned to their families. We mourn the loss of these young children and their mother. No matter the cause, their death is an utter tragedy and desecration of humanity.

At the same time, we mourn the tens of thousands of Palestinian families killed in Israel’s genocidal war in Gaza. All of our freedom and liberation is intertwined, and we refuse to buy into the destructive narrative that we cannot hold compassion and care for both Israeli and Palestinian families in mourning.

Yesterday, six Israeli hostages were freed by Hamas as part of the first phase of the ceasefire deal. However, Israel has now delayed the planned release of Palestinian prisoners, stating this delay is due to Hamas’s treatment of Israeli hostages.

As stated by the  United Nations Special Rapporteurs, parading hostages as trophies of war violates international humanitarian law. Israel has also consistently breached international law in its treatment of Palestinian captives.

Israel cannot be allowed to delay the planned release of Palestinian captives. Many of the Palestinians due to be released are women and children kidnapped from Gaza and held by Israel, essentially as bargaining chips.

As stated by the UN, 'No one should be treated as a means to a political end. All people arbitrarily deprived of liberty must be immediately and unconditionally released. … Decades of brutal violence and dehumanisation in the context of Israel’s prolonged occupation has not guaranteed security for anyone in the region.'

If this fragile ceasefire does not hold, this will mean the continuation of the genocide and ethnic cleansing of Palestinians in Gaza, the killing of countless other children and their families, and risking the safety of the remaining Israeli hostages being held in Gaza.

We call on the Australian government to use all means available to ensure that the ceasefire holds, that all hostages — Palestinian and Israeli — are released. Australia must advocate for an end to Israel’s illegal occupation and freedom, justice and liberation for all people between the River and the Sea.