Sally Sitou (Reid, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

Recently, Gazi Mahajna, a student from Homebush Boys High School, spent his work experience week with me. I asked him to write his first speech as if he were to become a member of parliament.

Gazi's family is Palestinian and he still has family living there. For his first speech he chose to speak about the conflict in the region. Here is an extract:

The Palestinian people have lived through generations of turmoil, conflict, and uncertainty.

I believe it is our moral duty to advocate for a peaceful, two-state solution where Israelis and Palestinians can coexist side by side in harmony, each with their own sovereign and secure states.

We must … address the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza … Access to clean water, healthcare, education, and basic necessities remains a daily struggle for many Palestinians.

It is our responsibility to ensure that their suffering does not go unnoticed. The Palestinian people deserve nothing less than a brighter and more secure future.

To Ghazi and his family I want say that I share your hopes. I want to see an end to this conflict. I want humanitarian aid to flow into Gaza. I want to see the Israeli hostages released. I want to see an end to the killing of innocent civilians. I want to see an enduring two-state solution, where Israelis and Palestinians can live with security— (Time expired)

See this speech in context