BY JO BROWN
& KIM BULLIMORE
Efforts towards peace in Palestine can only succeed if past injustices are redressed, Alex Koutab from Victoria's Palestinian community and the Australian Arabic Council told 50 people at a public meeting organised by the Democratic Socialist Party in Melbourne on October 18.
Koutab spoke bitterly about Israel's demands that Palestine compromise, while it continues to illegally occupy Palestinian territory, discriminate against Palestinians, and detain and torture Palestinian activists.
He argued that the Oslo Accords signed in 1993 had not facilitated reconciliation, but had instead undermined hopes for peace by failing to meet the Palestinian people's demands.
Life has become more desperate for Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza, he claimed, with rising unemployment and continuing housing and water shortages. The peace process had failed to deal with crucial questions, such as the right of return for Palestinian refugees and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from the occupied territories.
Long-term Palestine solidarity activist and DSP member Rob Miller explained the history of the Israeli state, which was founded on the dispossession of more than 800,000 Palestinians. He argued that the idea that both sides should compromise denied the numerous injustices suffered by the Palestinians at the hands of Israel.
Both speakers expressed concern that the United States and other imperialist governments would use any failure in the talks as a pretext for supporting further military action by Israel. The meeting initiated an emergency contact list to build further solidarity actions.
An alliance of supporters of a free Palestine is organising another public meeting, titled "Justice for Palestine", at Trades Hall, October 31, 7pm. For more information about the campaign in Melbourne, call (03) 9639 8622.
Chanting "Free Palestine" in English and Arabic, and holding photographs of 12-year-old Rami, who was shot dead by Israeli soldiers, 2500 people protested in Sydney on October 15, marching from Hyde Park to the US Consulate in Martin Place.
Spokesperson Sari Kassis told Green Left Weekly that the Council of Australian Palestinian Organisations had organised the rally to demand the cessation of Israeli violence, Israeli withdrawal from Palestinian territories and an international inquiry into the violence.
Kassis described the peace process as a "re-adjustment of the occupation", which has led to "increasing mortality rates and increasing poverty for the Palestinian people". It has legitimised the occupation of Palestinian land, he said.
At Martin Place, protesters burnt Israeli and US flags. A statement issued by many of the community organisations present at the rally condemned Prime Minister John Howard for ignoring the frustration that many Arab and non-Arab people feel about his government's unconditional support for Israel and the US.
A fund has been set up to help provide medical and financial aid to families whose have had relatives killed. Kassis said the main aid recipient will be the Makasid Hospital, which deals with the most serious casualties.
Along with other activists, Kassis will address a Green Left Weekly public meeting titled "Palestine: freedom now!" on Wednesday, November 1, 7pm, at the Resistance Centre, 23 Abercrombie Street, Chippendale. Phone (02) 9690 1977 for details.
For more information on upcoming actions in Sydney and how to donate to the fund, email Sari Kassis at <fob@tpgi.com.au>.