Central Coast Friends of Palestine says Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s recognition of a Palestinian state at the United Nations summit in New York this week could put Palestinians in even more danger.
“We acknowledge this symbolic action that Australia has taken, along with our historic allies, to recognise the state of Palestine this week,” a spokesperson said.
“However, we feel that without sanctions and an arms embargo to reinforce the move, this will put Palestinians in even graver danger as Israel has already expressed its anger at the recognition.”
Members met on September 22 with Federal Member for Robertson Dr Gordon Reid to outline their concerns.
One of those sharing her views was Dr Sandra Collins, who has been working in the hospitals of the Central Coast for the past 14 years.
“The meeting was important to convey the seriousness of the genocide, and to share my experiences with Dr Reid about my work at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, the Gaza Strip, as recently as in July 2025,” Collins said.
“I worked in the operating theatres, the ICU (Intensive Care Unit) and the Emergency Department at Nassar Hospital.
“On some days, we received multiple influx of men, women and children, from missile strikes or mass shootings at aid sites run by private Israeli-US operators.”
Collins appealed to Reid’s shared knowledge of the system of hospital triage and emergencies.
“As someone who understands the workings of a medical system, we need to know that there does not exist a functioning healthcare system in Gaza right now,” she said.
“There are very few functioning ambulances due to the lack of fuel because of the Israeli blockade, so the injured are carried into the hospital, held by their arms and legs, having arrived by donkey cart or, indeed, by carts pulled by other people and placed on the floor if there is space.”
Collins said she had seen people with gunshot wounds to the head, neck or groin, burns and other serious injuries.
“In the resus bay, men, women and children with head injuries and low GCS (a measure of a patient’s level of consciousness) are overlooked because there are no neurosurgical services and no ICU beds,” she said.
“The many children and adults whom I have treated with burns to their body that are greater than 20% to 30% of their total body surface area (TBSA) don’t stand a chance of healing from their burn injuries because of the enforced starvation and lack of antibiotics.”
The International Court of Justice issued its advisory opinion in July 2024 that Israel must withdraw from the Occupied Palestinian Territory as rapidly as possible.
Two months later, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution demanding that Israel withdraw its military forces from the Gaza Strip.
“Israel has been refusing to comply with international law,” Collins said.
“In the face of this, it is disappointing that the Australian government refuses to place any sanctions on the state of Israel.
“Our government is also refusing to halt Australian weapons manufacturers from selling weapons components used in Israel’s genocide.”
The Friends of Palestine group is calling for: an immediate ceasefire in Gaza; unrestricted and unimpeded humanitarian access into Gaza; medical evacuations for all patients who are unable to receive the required treatment in Gaza; severing all Australian financial and trade ties with Israel and applying sanctions on the state of Israel; an immediate end to provision of Australian armament parts in the international supply chain that are used by Israel; and support for the judgements, advisory opinions and warrants for arrest issued by the International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice.
They are urging residents to reinforce these demands with Reid.
For more information email Centralcoastfriendsofpalestine@gmail.com
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