Dear Prime Minister Albanese and Foreign Minister Wong,
I write to you now from an Australian’s core values of kindness and decency – with deep feelings of empathy, grief and pragmatic concern.
Like many Australians, I have watched the escalating violence in Gaza with horror. I have also listened carefully to your statements. I understand that you believe Australia is not a “major player” in this region. But I believe we are still a player. And with that comes responsibility.
Even if we cannot unilaterally stop the assault on Gaza, we can do more to leverage our international partnerships to support life-saving humanitarian access – and we can stop contributing to it – directly or indirectly.
I urge you to:
- Use Australia’s diplomatic relationships with the U.S., U.K., EU, and regional allies to push for immediate humanitarian access, the establishment of aid corridors, and monitoring of international law violations.
- Respond to the humanitarian request made by Dr. Mohammad Mustafa, who has called for Australia to urgently support and help establish a children’s hospital in Gaza. This is a direct and actionable way Australia can contribute to saving lives, particularly among the most vulnerable. I urge the government to immediately explore and establish an emergency pathway to fulfil this request – and to publicly affirm our commitment to medical humanitarian support in Gaza.
- Acknowledge and continue to speak clearly on violations of international law – including war crimes. I commend the government for the statements made so far, particularly those expressing concern over civilian deaths and the need for international law to be upheld. But more consistent and unambiguous language is needed, especially when grave human rights violations are being documented. The strength of our international stance depends on our moral clarity. Silence or equivocation in the face of civilian massacres erodes our credibility as a country that claims to uphold human rights.
- Increase transparency around past and present defence export permits involving Israeli military or companies. This is essential for public accountability and democratic integrity.
- Review all current defence exports to Israel – including those that are indirect, such as F-35 components exported through third-party countries. If these exports cannot be halted due to broader security, economic, or alliance concerns, we urge you to at minimum clarify their scope, seek restrictions on their use, and ensure they do not contribute to further civilian harm.
These are not radical demands. They are aligned with Australia’s obligations under the Arms Trade Treaty and our stated commitment to human rights and peace.
“No one left behind – because we should always look after the disadvantaged and the vulnerable.”
Anthony Albanese, 2022 Victory Speech
That sentiment resonated with millions of Australians, myself included. I urge you to carry that principle into this moment – to act not out of political convenience, but from the compassion and courage that leadership demands.
This is not about choosing sides. It is about protecting civilians. About aligning our actions with our stated values. About ensuring that Australia’s name and resources are not complicit in the death of thousands.
“We do not need to beg or borrow or copy from anywhere else. We do not seek our inspiration overseas. We find it right here in our values and in our people.”
Anthony Albanese, 2025 Victory Speech
We do not need to be a superpower to act with integrity. We only need to be brave enough to lead with principle – even in difficult times.
Respectfully,
Bambi Woodward
Canberra, Australia
Please do download PDF to email to your local representatives, request a response, share this page, and/or tag. Thank you, kindly.
Download PDF of Open letter here: Open_Letter_Gaza_Leadership
You can copy and paste the text below into the body of your message, and simply attach the letter (PDF) to your email:
Dear [MP’s Name / Minister / Prime Minister Albanese],
I am writing to share an open letter currently circulating among concerned Australians, calling for urgent and pragmatic humanitarian action in response to the crisis in Gaza.
The letter outlines specific, reasonable actions Australia can take — including diplomatic pressure for humanitarian aid access, support for a children’s hospital in Gaza as requested by Dr. Mohammad Mustafa, and greater transparency around defence exports.
It reflects the values many of us expect from our leadership: compassion, accountability, and a commitment to human rights. These are not radical demands — they are aligned with Australia’s international obligations and the moral leadership many Australians want to see.
I’ve attached the letter and respectfully ask that you consider its contents, raise these matters within your portfolio, and take action where possible. I would welcome any response or statement regarding your position.
Thank you for your time.
Kind regards,
[Your Name]
[Your electorate or location, optional]
Delicate Feral – Bambi-Rose Woodward 