A tourist visa is the only way in for hundreds of Palestinians seeking refuge, leaving them forced to rely on overwhelmed community organisations
Salma and her daughter arrived in Australia on 1 January on a visitor visa after fleeing Israel’s bombardment of Gaza.Salma and her daughter arrived in Australia on 1 January on a visitor visa after fleeing Israel’s bombardment of Gaza.
Between 7 October and early February, just over 330 Palestinians arrived in Australia on a visitor visa, according to a government spokesperson. Community organisations say they are stretched, while human rights experts are calling on the government to introduce a visa pathway for Palestinians fleeing Gaza – just as Australia has in other conflicts.“We didn’t take anything … even clothes for prayer,” she says. “We just left.
– and at the same time, Palestinians have not received help with settlement or legal support after arriving in Australia. Without support services or quick pathways off visitor visas, arrivals like Salma are “totally dependent” on the support of community groups, Roumeliotis says.Our Australian afternoon update breaks down the key stories of the day, telling you what’s happening and why it mattersand drawing on their own resources to deliver support to 33 families in NSW, including providing Opal cards for travel and vouchers for food. In Melbourne, the ASRC are doing the same for about 20 families.
The Arab Council of Australia has been receiving calls from the community, offering to assist however they can, Kattan says. The council has held events to fundraise for supplies but “there are particular areas that are beyond us”.‘Where are the open arms of welcome?’“I am very sad,” she says. “Even now, with Ramadan, we are fasting, but I am thinking how can I afford the money for food?
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