Australia's Labor MPs condemn 'Israel's' 'domination' of Palestine

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: The Guardian
19 Dec 2023 08:59
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Dozens of Labor figures sign a letter urging Australia to reevaluate its ties with "Israel" in the wake of its genocidal war on Gaza.

A father holds his injured child due to an Israeli airstrike in a hospital in Gaza. (AFP)

Over 50 former and current Australian Labor Members of Parliament, led by former Foreign Affairs Minister Bob Carr, have jointly expressed their disapproval of "Israel's" “domination” over Palestine, The Guardian reported.

They released a letter on Tuesday, initiated by NSW Labor upper house member Anthony D’Adam and state Greens MP Jenny Leong, urging Australia to acknowledge Palestine as a state.

The letter demands a thorough examination of Australia's ties with "Israel" and insists on an "instant, enduring ceasefire and a fair and enduring peace" in Gaza. It strongly accuses "Israel" of flagrantly breaching human rights laws through its continuous blockade of the besieged Gaza Strip.

“It is beyond dispute that Israel is committed to policies designed to entrench the domination of one people over another in the territories of Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories. Attempts to deny this, or smear those who allege it, are an attempt to defy truth and reality,” the letter reads.

“These events and policies have involved the destruction of Palestinian society and the denial of the legitimate national aspirations of the Palestinian people,” it adds.

Over 200 present and former elected officials, including Labor senators Louise Pratt and Fatima Payman, as well as veteran Victorian federal MP Maria Vamvakinou, have endorsed the letter. The signatories encompass over 100 members of the Greens party, with notable figures like Bob Brown and Adam Bandt, along with five representatives from the Coalition, including former Nationals MP Ken O’Dowd.

The letter, backed by the Australia Palestine Advocacy Network, additionally calls on the Australian government to reassess its relationship with "Israel", with a particular emphasis on scrutinizing those ties, “positively contributing to the resolution of this intolerable and dangerous situation that threatens... the entire international community”.

Australia alters stance, backs UN resolution for Gaza ceasefire

The Israeli occupation continues its aggression on Gaza for the 74th consecutive day, targeting all parts of the Strip. Earlier on Monday, the Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza reported that the number of Palestinians martyred due to the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip has risen to 19,453, in addition to 52,286 injuries since October 7.

In a recent emergency session of the UN General Assembly, Australia altered its stance by supporting a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza and the "prompt and unconditional release of all captives." Alongside 152 other nations, including Canada and New Zealand, Australia voted in favor of the resolution. This marked a departure from the position of the United States, which, along with nine other nations, opposed the motion. Unsurprisingly, the shift received backlash from both the opposition and the Israeli embassy in Australia.

Leong and D’Adam issued a statement expressing their approval of Australia's shift in supporting the UN resolution. However, they urged the Australian government to pay attention to "all the appeals in the statement."

"The horrifying situation unfolding in Gaza requires us to all do whatever we can, big or small, to address the situation,” they said. “We all have an obligation to uphold and respect human rights as well as international law."

“In initiating this statement and inviting local, state and federal elected representatives to sign on in support, we have added our hundreds of voices to all of those mobilising in communities here and around the world for an immediate, permanent ceasefire and a just and lasting peace,” they stressed.