Israel killed at least 30 more people in Gaza on February 1, more than twice those killed in the Bondi terrorist attack, as thousands of people across Australia took to the streets calling for a real ceasefire, to sanction Israel and for the invitation to Israeli President Isaac Herzog to be rescinded.
Incredibly, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese claims his invitation to Herzog is about promoting “social cohesion”. Labor Friends of Palestine said it “makes a mockery of all the fine words about hate speech, social cohesion, unity and healing”.
Nine Jewish groups also wrote to the Governor-General and Albanese, urging them to rethink Herzog’s invitation.
Meanwhile, reports suggest that Albanese will decline the Trump’s $1 billion seat at the “Board of Peace” table, however, so far he hasn't done so. France, Norway, Sweden and New Zealand have declined, citing infringements on the role of the United Nation.
Among those that have signed on are: Israel, Bahrain, Albania, Armenia and Azerbaijan, Argentina, Belarus, Morocco, Vietnam, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kosovo, Hungary, United Arab Emerites, Egypt, Turkey, Qatar, Jordan, Indonesia and Saudi Arabia.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong has declined to sign an international statement condemning Israel’s demolition of United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) headquarters in East Jerusalem, on January 20.
Eleven nations, including Britain, Canada and France, called on Israel to halt the demolition on January 28, and reiterated “full support for UNRWA’s indispensable mission to provide essential services and humanitarian assistance to Palestinians in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, including East Jerusalem”.
It said “UNRWA is a service provider delivering healthcare and education to millions of Palestinians across the region, particularly in Gaza, and must be able to operate without restrictions” and said it was concerned that the Knesset (Israel’s parliament) forbade contact between Israeli state entities and officials and UNRWA. It said this “de facto” method of “preventing any UNRWA presence within Israel and in Jerusalem including the supply of electricity, water and gas to properties registered under UNRWA”, went against United States President Donald Trump’s 20-point Plan which committed to “entry and distribution of aid into Gaza, led by the UN and Red Crescent and without interference”.
The 11 countries further called on the government of Israel to allow expanded, safe and unimpeded humanitarian aid and services throughout the whole of Gaza and the West Bank and ensure international NGOs are able to operate in Gaza; the reopening of all crossing points, including Rafah in both directions; and to lift restrictions on humanitarian goods’ imports, “including items considered to have a ‘dual use’ that are essential to humanitarian and early recovery operations”.
Several thousand people in Naarm/Melbourne, Gadigal Country/Sydney, and Booloo/Perth on November 1. Speakers condemned the new federal hate speech law, saying it will not silence those speaking out against genocide — wherever it takes place.
Tim Gooden reports from Naarm that 3000 people took to the streets there. Gabrielle de Vietri, Greens MP for Richmond, said it was a “disgrace” that Labor “would think it’s OK to invite a person being investigated by the International Court of Justice for Genocide”.
Basil El Ghattis, Free Palestine Melbourne rally organiser, said: “Herzog prides himself as the first Israeli President born in Israel — which reinforces how young the state of Israel is. Herzog said that the whole Palestine nation is responsible for October 7, implying it was OK for all of them to die.
“The ICJ has cited this comment in its charges of genocide statement. The last two years is coming to fruition with the ongoing moves to totally displace people in Gaza and replace them with high rises. We cannot let this happen.”
Riley Breen reports that Janet Parker from Jews for Palestine WA reminded the Boorloo rally the real experts in hate speech sit in the Israeli parliament. “Israeli leaders have referred to Palestinians as ‘human animals’; they have called for a second Nakba; and for the use of nuclear weapons [on Palestinians].”
She said it was sheer hypocrisy for a parliamentary committee “to examine our alleged hate speech” while Albanese issued “a gilt-edged invitation” to Herzog, who famously said that all civilians in Gaza are legitimate targets as the “entire nation” is responsible for the events of October 7, 2023.
Thousands rallied also in Gadigal Country/Sydney on February 1.
More than 60 people participated in a commemoration event on January 29, the second anniversary of the killing of six year old Hind Rajab by the Israeli Occupation Forces. People took 335 steps to symbolise the 335 bullets fired at Hind by Israeli soldiers.
