The Australia Palestine Advocacy Network (APAN) strongly condemns the Federal Liberal/National Opposition’s election policy proposal to start free trade negotiations with Israel.
This proposed policy is reckless and immoral in its signalling of unquestioning support for a rogue state engaged in crimes against humanity across the occupied Palestinian territory.
Beyond this, the proposal has already been shown to offer no real economic benefit to Australia.
The proposal is an appalling attempt to further entrench Australia’s complicity in Israel’s crimes of genocide, apartheid and illegal occupation, at a time when the world’s highest courts and leading legal and human rights organisations have explicitly condemned these violations of international law.
The Federal Opposition has a well-documented history of unwavering support for Israel, even as it commits blatant and widely recognised breaches of international law.
By choosing to pursue a free trade agreement the Federal Opposition is choosing to align itself with genocide and apartheid, rather than justice, liberation and international law.
Framing this proposal as an expression of support for a “fellow democracy” is both misleading and deeply cynical. For almost eight decades, Israel has denied millions of Palestinians their basic political and human rights.
To justify such an agreement under the guise of shared democratic values is an insult to voters across this continent who expect their government – regardless of party – to uphold human rights and international law, without exception or bias.
Instead of normalising and rewarding Israel’s genocidal policies, its apartheid and violent illegal occupation, the Federal Liberal/National Opposition – and all political parties and candidates – must take meaningful action to pressure Israel to end its violent oppression of Palestinians by:
- Suspending all trade and diplomatic relations with Israel.
- Implementing sanctions against Israeli officials and entities responsible for these crimes.
- Imposing a two-way arms embargo.
- Joining international efforts to hold Israel legally accountable for its genocide and apartheid.
- Supporting Palestinians’ right to return to their homeland, and their struggle for justice, liberation and equality.
Comments attributed to APAN President Nasser Mashni:
“This would not be a free trade deal – it would be a political endorsement of Israeli genocide, apartheid and illegal occupation.
“It is shameful that the Federal Opposition is prioritising closer ties with a regime actively committing genocide and ethnic cleansing while continuing its illegal occupation and annexation of Palestinian land.
“This proposal will not go unchallenged – people of good conscience across this continent reject Israel’s apartheid policies and Australia’s complicity in them.
“The Opposition is completely out of touch with the Australian public, which does not want our economy further entangled with a state committing crimes against humanity.
“The community is demanding accountability for Israel, not appeasement of this criminal state.”