[The people of Gaza are among the most tormented and annihilated on the planet. Their need for refuge is undeniable. Australia, a nation built on principles of human dignity and equality, must act as top priority. Australia’s role as a safe haven for the persecuted is well-established, and now is the time for the country to extend its generosity to the people of Gaza.] . . . . . By Syed Atiq ul Hassan.
Australia’s Federal Parliament has been embroiled in a debate over whether to grant visas to Palestinian refugees fleeing the violence in Gaza. The Liberal Party opposition has raised concerns
about screening procedures, visa types, and other bureaucratic hurdles. This resistance is alarming, especially given the dire situation faced by thousands of Palestinians, particularly women, children, and men who have been displaced by Israel’s military operations.
The recent violence has resulted in the death of thousands of innocent civilians and left many more severely injured, some even losing limbs. Gaza’s people are now among the most humiliated, victimized, and deprived in the world. The opposition’s reluctance to offer asylum to these people showcases a lack of compassion for human suffering.
While debates over who is right or wrong in the Israel-Hamas conflict will continue, the focus should not be on these geopolitical arguments but on the human tragedy unfolding before the world. Innocent people are trapped in a warzone, and their survival depends on international intervention. Australia’s current Labor government should step forward and grant refugee status to those suffering in Gaza, where thousands are languishing under open skies, in unsanitary conditions, with little access to food, water, or shelter. The opposition’s reluctance to issue a few hundred visas is not just disappointing—it is a stain on Australia’s humanitarian legacy.
International organizations such as the United Nations, Human Rights Watch, UNICEF, the International Court of Justice (ICJ), and other rights groups from around the world agree that the treatment of Palestinians, particularly in Gaza, is one of the gravest humanitarian crises since World War II. This historical comparison underscores the urgency of the situation and further reinforces the legitimacy of asylum claims by those fleeing Israeli bombardments.
The tragic death of Australian aid worker Zomi Frankcom, along with other humanitarian workers in April 2024, highlights the dangerous and indiscriminate nature of the ongoing violence. These individual aid workers were attempting to provide medical assistance to those severely injured by Israeli airstrikes when they were killed. There should be no dispute that these civilians, many of them children and families, are genuine asylum seekers in need of safe harbour. They are not combatants—they are victims.
Despite this, Australia’s Department of Home Affairs has rejected over 7,000 visa applications, approving only 2,922. Among those, a mere 1,300 people have made it to arrive in Australia safely. This dismal approval rate reflects the country’s shamefully inadequate response to the Gaza crisis. Given Australia’s longstanding alliance with Israel, the government has the leverage to pressure Israeli authorities to release accurate data on civilians affected by the conflict and to ensure that victims, regardless of their religion or ethnicity, are granted the asylum they desperately need.
Australia has a proud history of offering refuge to those fleeing war, persecution, and natural disasters. Since World War II, Australia has welcomed close to one million refugees. The Refugee Council of Australia reports that the country is on track to reach this milestone by 2025. This tradition is built on values of fairness, generosity, and inclusion—values that must now be applied to the people of Gaza.
By the end of June 2023, Australia had issued nearly one million humanitarian visas, with 20,000 more expected in the 2023–24 fiscal year. Yet even as the country approaches this historic milestone, there are persistent calls for Australia to do more. The current situation in Gaza demands that Australia live up to its reputation as a global leader in human rights and refugee resettlement.
The people of Gaza are among the most tormented and annihilated on the planet. Their need for refuge is undeniable. Australia, a nation built on principles of human dignity and equality, must act as top priority. Australia’s role as a safe haven for the persecuted is well-established, and now is the time for the country to extend its generosity to the people of Gaza.
In 2021, Australia was one of only 23 countries to accept refugees for resettlement through the UNHCR process. Recent statistics show that most of Australia’s humanitarian entrants in 2022–23 came from Afghanistan, Iraq, and Myanmar. Gaza must be added to that list. The scale of the humanitarian crisis in Palestine, particularly in Gaza, should make the region a top priority for Australian immigration policy.
Importantly, asylum should be granted without discrimination. Whether the victims are Muslim, Christian, or Jewish should be irrelevant to their need for protection. Australia must resist the temptation to judge these individuals based on the political affiliations of groups like Hamas or Hezbollah. Instead, the focus must remain on providing refuge to those who have been caught in the crossfire or by indiscriminate air-attacks by Israeli forces on civilian targets, like hospitals, schools or religious venues and civilian population aiming to kill Hamas militants.
Humanitarian groups from around the world are attempting to deliver aid to Gaza, but many are unable to do so due to Israel’s stringent blockade. Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong’s visit to the Middle East failed to secure the peace many had hoped for, but the government must not give up. If the blockade prevents asylum seekers from leaving Gaza, Australia should establish immigration cells either within Palestinian territory or neighbouring regions such as Israel. These centres could help streamline visa processing and facilitate the safe evacuation of civilians.
Australia’s vast size and relatively small population mean the country is far more capacity to accommodating additional refugees, professional migrants and skilled workers. With a land area of 7.7 million square kilometres and a population of only 26 million, Australia has the resources to provide for those in need. Immigrants have played a vital role in Australia’s development, contributing to its economy, culture, and social fabric. Offering refuge to Gaza’s asylum seekers will only enhance Australia’s standing as a global leader in human rights.
This is Australia’s moment to show the world that it does not have a one-sided policy favouring Israel. Instead, it must demonstrate that it treats Israelis and Palestinians with equal compassion. By extending its protection to the people of Gaza, Australia can reaffirm its commitment to justice, humanity, peace and global responsibility.
Now is the time for Australia to act with compassion and courage—to open its doors to those in need and help rebuild lives shattered by war. (The writer, Syed Atiq ul Hassa, is a Sydney-based journalist, analyst, writer and author. His email address is shassan@tribune-intl.com ).
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