Update: Statement on Gaza and Israel from IWDA

IWDA continues to call for an immediate, permanent and unconditional ceasefire in Gaza, the safe and unimpeded passage of humanitarian aid, the release of all remaining hostages, and an end to the longstanding and illegal occupation of Palestinian territories by the State of Israel. We welcome the announcement of $20m in humanitarian assistance from Australia, bringing its contribution to $130m to date, and urge further support.

As a feminist organisation, we stand in solidarity with Palestinian and Israeli feminists and peace activists who are working towards freedom, safety, and justice for all people in the region.

In 2024, we outlined the gendered impacts of this conflict. We again highlight the disproportionate burden carried by women and girls, and the dehumanising portrayal of Palestinian men and boys as inherent threats. In line with our ongoing commitment to a decolonial feminist foreign policy, we believe peace must be rooted in justice and equality for all. Peace cannot be achieved through military power, occupation, or displacement.

We call for the immediate and safe access of humanitarian aid into Gaza. The current weaponisation of aid constitutes a war crime. In July alone, the World Health Organization reported 63 deaths from malnutrition, including 24 children under five. Nearly one in five children under five in Gaza City is acutely malnourished, and over 40% of pregnant and breastfeeding women are malnourished. This is a preventable humanitarian catastrophe. The World Food Programme has confirmed it has enough supplies to feed the entire population of Gaza for three months – this food and life-saving assistance, delivered by independent humanitarian organisations, must be allowed immediate access.

We strongly condemn any discussions or plans to forcibly relocate Palestinian people from Gaza and we reject the replacement of UN- and humanitarian-led aid delivery with private groups, including the Israel- and US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. This model of militarised and political aid delivery violates the core humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality, and independence. Over 500 Palestinians have been killed in recent weeks while waiting for aid or medical support. UN officials have described these distribution points as “death traps.”

We call for the reinstatement of full access for UN and other trusted humanitarian organisations.

We are deeply concerned by the deliberate misuse of feminist and human rights language to justify war and deflect accountability. This includes the Israeli Prime Minister quoting “Women, Life, Freedom” — the slogan of the Iranian women’s rights movement — to justify bombing Iran. This is not solidarity. It is the appropriation of feminist language to mask imperial power. It echoes the US government’s use of women’s rights rhetoric during the 2001 invasion of Afghanistan and reflects a broader strategy by anti-rights actors to distort human rights narratives.

We also condemn the sanctioning of UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese for her reporting on the situation in Gaza and for naming genocide. We support the Special Rapporteur for speaking truth to power and for refusing to be convenient at the expense of the excluded and marginalised.

Recognition of Palestinian statehood is a step toward justice

We welcome recent announcements from France, Canada and the UK of their intentions to recognise Palestinian statehood at the UN General Assembly, joining 147 countries that already do so.

Australia has taken important steps, including joining a statement with 14 other countries who have already, or are positively considering, recognising the State of Palestine as an essential step towards the two-State solution. With the Israeli Government unwilling and unable to advance viable plans for self-determination and a two-State solution, it is vital that the international community formally recognise Palestinian Statehood providing the necessary international legitimacy for both Palestinians and Israelis in the region to live within peaceful and recognised borders.

We call on the Australian Government to signal its commitment to recognise the State of Palestine at UNGA in September alongside other governments, as a meaningful act of solidarity. Our calls to the Australian Government are clear:

• Increase humanitarian funding and ensure it reaches women’s rights and feminist organisations on the ground.
• Immediately suspend any military aid, military assistance or military cooperation with Israel, including the transfer of weapons or parts, in line with obligations under the Arms Trade Treaty and calls from UN experts.
• Use all available diplomatic levers to pressure Israel to implement a permanent ceasefire and to comply with international law, including targeted sanctions on political and military leaders responsible for violations.
• Pressure Israel to reinstate full access for UN and independent humanitarian organisations, and reject militarised and politicised aid distribution models.
• Formally recognise the State of Palestine at UNGA alongside the 147 other countries that already do and join France, Canada and the UK and take steps to support a two-State solution grounded in justice and equality.

We stand with feminist movements around the world who continue to demand freedom, justice, and equality for all people in the region. Anything less will sustain cycles of violence, displacement, and dispossession.