A group of 20 residents from Melbourne’s western suburbs protested outside Fraser MP Daniel Mulino’s office on Monday September, 15, calling for Australia to end its diplomatic ties with Israel.
The group eventually moved into the foyer of Dr Mulino’s office where they stayed for four-and-a-half hours, chanting and playing war sounds from Gaza.
Spokesperson for the group, former senator and Footscray resident Janet Rice, said the protest aimed to disrupt business as usual.
“Multiple local residents and community groups have contacted Daniel Mulino, our local representative, about the genocide that Israel is inflicting on Palestine and actions that Australia could take to help end the starvation and the killings,” Ms Rice said.
“Dr Mulino has refused to meet us. We cannot accept silence in the face of genocide. We are occupying his offices to get him to unlock his door to listen to his constituents. We are breaking the silence about our government’s complicit relationship with Israel,” Ms Rice said.
Ms Rice said the federal government could do more to apply pressure on Israel.
“Until Israel ends its crimes, the Australian government must sanction Israel as we are sanctioning Russia, end trade with and stop arming Israel and end diplomatic ties with Israel,” she said.
“Recognition of Palestine is not enough. Words are not enough…Sanctions speak louder than words.”
Dr Mulino was contacted for comment.
