Quakers Australia (QA) made a formal statement in July 2024 at their national gathering as follows. Our sentiments remain the same in 2026.
This Brief covers the recent report of the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the conflict, and includes other statements from Quaker sources.
The United Nations Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Palestine since 1967, Francesca Albanese, delivered a report in 2024 which concluded that Israel had committed genocide in Gaza. Her recent report (19 February 2026) updates and expands on the issue to include the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Her reports are made in the context of Israel denying UN officials access to the region, in defiance of an order of the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
Below is 2024 Watching Brief (in part):
Quakers grieve deeply the decades-long injustices inflicted on Palestinians by the policies of the State of Israel. Our hearts are breaking for the extreme suffering and loss of life currently being experienced in Gaza, inflicted by the Israeli military. We acknowledge that people in Palestine and Israel are currently living in extreme fear, intensifying historical collective traumas felt by many.
We affirm that of God in all people, whether victims or perpetrators of violence, and seek justice, freedom and peace for all. We note the courage of Palestinians advocating for their freedom; and Israeli conscientious objectors and solidarity campaigners supporting this goal. We commit ourselves not just to speking up for Palestinian self-determination, but to creative and courageous action to challenge our government’s complicity and to stand with all those suffering.
Quakers affirm our call for an immediate ceasefire, as well as the release of all hostages – both those kidnapped by Hamas; and Palestinians held by Israel without charge. These actions would be the first steps on a path towards justice and self-determination for Palestinians. To prevent further loss of life, we urge the Australian government to take further steps, including
- recalling the Australian Ambassador to Israel for talks with the Australian Government
- placing travel restrictions on Israeli Government officials involved in war making
- ending all military ties with Israel, including any direct arms sales to Israel or exports of weapons or weapons parts to Israel and
- divesting the Future Fund from any Israeli arms manufacturers (noting current investments in Elbit).
The sentiments remain the same today, and the statement was followed up by several messages to the Australian Government seeking stronger action to bring the conflict to a peaceful end. The strong ties between Australia and Israel are reflected in the unwillingness of the Government to go beyond (a) the recognition of the State of Palestine in Sept ‘25, (b) calls for a ceasefire, (c) commitment to a two-state solution, and (d) strong support for more humanitarian assistance for Gaza.
The Quaker Peace and Legislation Committee (QPLC) is continuing to seek ways to respond to the situation, especially given the expansion of war in the Middle East involving Iran and other Gulf states. We welcome comments from Friends around Australia about actions they are taking or suggest.