MEDIA RELEASE 

July 19, 2006 

Middle East crisis: all parties need to respect international obligations 

Caritas Australia has joined with international partners to call for all parties in the current Middle East conflict to respect their obligations under international law. 

As the civilian toll of the conflict has increased to over 270, Caritas Australia is particularly concerned about the lack of regard given to international obligations relating to targeting of civilians. 

Caritas Australia is committed to providing independent, impartial & neutral humanitarian assistance to affected civilians.   

Caritas Australia provides assistance to anyone in need regardless of race, religion, nationality and we do not act on the behalf of any government nor take sides in a conflict except to promote protection and assistance to civilians. 

CEO of Caritas Australia Jack de Groot said, “Caritas calls on the states of Israel & Palestine to fulfil their obligations under International Humanitarian Law by actively distinguishing between the civilian population and combatants in order to protect civilian lives and property”.  

International Humanitarian Law holds states responsible for ensuring neither the civilian population nor civilian individuals are the object of attack and that attacks are directed solely at military targets.   

International Humanitarian Law also requires states to allow free access by humanitarian agencies to provide assistance to affected civilians.   

“The basic rule is that a state must accept relief actions for the civilian population when the population is not adequately supplied and when relief, which is humanitarian & impartial in nature, is available.  Refusing relief supplies and action is not a matter of a state’s discretion”, said Mr de Groot. 

“Given relief is clearly required in the Gaza Strip and humanitarian agencies are offering support, all parties are obliged to permit access of humanitarian agencies to affected civilians.  The current actions highlight a failure to comply with International Law”, continued Mr de Groot.  

Caritas Australia is accepting donations to assist the victims of the current Middle East Crisis. Donations can be made via

• Phone: 1800 024 413,
• Post: cheques or money orders to GPO BOX 9830 in your capital city, or directly to   19 MacKenzie St, North Sydney, 2060
• Online: www.caritas.org.au 

 
 

For further media information please contact Tim O’Connor on 0417 284 831