The remarks made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, attempting to link Australia’s support for international law to an arson attack on a Melbourne synagogue, are a cynical and dangerous distortion of reality.
Netanyahu, a war criminal and perpetrator of apartheid policies and genocide, has no credibility to lecture on morality or responsibility.
His government’s ongoing violations of international law, illegal occupation of Palestinian territory, and systematic oppression of Palestinians have rightly drawn global condemnation, including through recent United Nations resolutions and international court cases.
Instead of addressing the global outrage over Israeli international law violations, and the growing international consensus demanding an end to Israel’s litany of crimes, Netanyahu seeks to sow division and deflect from the realities of his government’s actions.
His baseless attempt to scapegoat Australia’s support for justice in Palestine reflects his desperation to shift focus away from his standing as a fugitive from international law.
We reaffirm our call for the Australian government to uphold its obligations under international law by maintaining principled positions on Palestine.
Netanyahu’s opportunistic attempts to vilify those who dare to challenge his genocidal, apartheid regime will not silence the voices of those demanding justice, equality, and self-determination for Palestine, and accountability for Israel.
Comments attributed to APAN President Nasser Mashni:
“Netanyahu’s attempt to cast Australia as ‘antisemitic’ for its opposition to illegal occupation and apartheid is a shameless distraction from his government’s crimes against humanity in Palestine.
“The real extremism here is Israel’s ongoing genocide, apartheid, illegal occupation, and systematic brutality against Palestinians – not Australia’s support for international law.
“A war criminal under investigation for genocide has no standing to lecture Australia on morality or justice.”