The Australia Palestine Advocacy Network (APAN) has welcomed Federal Labor MP Ed Husic’s call for the Labor Party to reject the “fear and loathing” that has too often silenced debate on Palestine, saying his intervention reflects the growing recognition that Australia cannot continue responding to Israel’s genocide in Gaza with words alone.
As Labor delegates gather next week to determine the Party’s National Platform, APAN says the Conference represents a defining moment for the Party to demonstrate that its commitment to international law extends to Palestinians.
The genocide will not pause while Labor meets. Neither should Labor’s conscience.
Every hour delegates spend debating policy, Palestinians will continue to be killed, deliberately starved and forcibly displaced. The decisions made next week will determine whether Labor is prepared to draw a clear red line against Australian complicity in serious violations of international law.
APAN is calling on delegates to strengthen the National Platform by committing to:
- ending Australian defence exports and military cooperation that risk contributing to war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide;
- ensuring full transparency and accountability across Australia’s defence trade;
- taking concrete action against Israel’s illegal settlement enterprise, including ending Australian trade and investment that sustains it;
- divesting Future Fund investments linked to Israel’s occupation and illegal settlements; and
- strengthening Australia’s commitment to accountability under international law for war crimes and other serious violations.
APAN Executive Officer Katie Shammas said:
“Ed Husic has articulated what many Labor members and Australians already know: the greatest political risk is not speaking honestly about Palestine while a genocide unfolds.”
“Labor cannot claim to champion human rights and international law while continuing policies that contribute to Israel’s violations. This Conference is the moment Labor can choose to draw a clear red line on Australian complicity. That means ending defence exports that risk contributing to atrocities, confronting the illegal settlement enterprise, and ensuring Australia meets its obligations under international law.”
“History will remember what Labor chose to do while Palestinians were being killed, starved and driven from their homes. The choices made next week will resonate far beyond the conference floor.”
Mr Husic’s call for greater scrutiny of Australians serving in foreign militaries also reflects the seriousness of Australia’s obligations under international law. Where there are credible allegations that Australian citizens have participated in war crimes, crimes against humanity or genocide overseas, those allegations must be investigated independently, impartially and without exception.
More than 1,000 days into Israel’s assault on Gaza, with more than 73,000 Palestinians killed and thousands more still missing beneath the rubble, APAN says Labor’s National Conference is one of the most significant opportunities for the Party to demonstrate that its commitment to international law applies equally to Palestinians. Next week’s Platform must send an unmistakable message that Australia will not remain complicit in genocide, illegal occupation, annexation or forced displacement.
ENDS