APAN is a united national voice advocating for justice and peace for Palestinians. We support grassroots advocacy, are active politically and in the media.The Australian Government Appears Determined to Cover Israel’s Crimes
The killings of 106 Palestinians and injuring 10,000 should be investigated
As the world continues to be horrified by unarmed Palestinians being killed and maimed by Israeli snipers in Gaza, it is unconscionable for Australia to have voted against sending independent investigators from the UN.
It is absurd for the Australian Government to continue to talk about ‘balance’ as if these are two equal warring parties. As the UN High Commissioner said, Gazans are “caged in a toxic slum from birth to death; deprived of dignity”, and Israel is a military power maintaining complete control over their lives.
Australia’s response to the military assaults on protests not only blames the victims, but risks creating a culture of impunity for the actions of the Israeli military.
Op Ed: Palestinians undefeated as Israel celebrates 70th anniversary
On the eve of the commemorations of the 70th anniversary of The Nakba, APAN and the Australian Jewish Democratic Society published an Opinion Piece in the Sydney Morning Herald.
Palestinians undefeated as Israel celebrates 70th anniversary
“In spite of 70 years of dispossession and exile, despite the daily humiliation of life under Israeli rule, despite the failures of their own leadership and the enormous power arrayed against them, Palestinians do not regard themselves as a defeated people. So long as this is the case, Israel’s victory will remain at best a partial one.”
Read whole piece in the Sydney Morning Herald
Palestine in Australian politics 2018
Collection of statements on Palestine and Israel from the Hansard record of the Australian Federal Parliament.
31 May, 2018, Senate Estimates, Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Legislation Committee, FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND TRADE PORTFOLIO, DFAT. Senators Di Natale, Moore, Rhiannon, Leyonhjelm, Abetz, Kitching (see link) Asked questions regarding Australia’s engagement with:
- UN Human Rights Committee decision to investigate after killings in Gaza
- Australia’s position and future engagement with the US Embassy in Jerusalem
- Australian aid to Palestinians
- Australia’s language on the Smart Traveler website about Palestine
24 May, 2018, House of Representatives, Maria Vamvakinou MP (Labor, VIC), speech honoring Al Nakba and Recognition of Palestine
One hundred and thirty-eight countries have already recognised the State of Palestine, and it’s surely now time for Australia to do the same. It’s time to put into place our long-held policy of a two-state solution. It’s important to do so because it’s the right and decent thing to do. This issue is a moral imperative for all who believe in the sanctity of human rights, rule of law and democracy. Now is the time to realise that the window of opportunity for a two-state solution is rapidly closing, and we are running out of time for the establishment of a viable Palestinian state.
24 May, 2018, House of Representatives, Susan Templmean MP (Labor, NSW), speech about Palestine and Gaza
My visit showed me that the expansion of the Israeli settlements on the West Bank and in the Old City of Jerusalem is a serious matter. The demolition of Palestinian homes built without permits, because permits can’t be issued, is a catch 22. The treatment of Bedouins, who have been relocated from their land to unproductive tracts of land, is just awful. The fact that Bedouin community schools and sanitation, funded by the European aid that comes in, are demolished is an outrage.
Roger Waters on Palestine
We were honored that Roger Waters took an evening out of his epic Us and Them tour to speak in Melbourne about Palestine. Watch and share! (highlights below, click here for video of whole event)
