The Australia Palestine Advocacy Network (APAN) has criticised the latest report from Special Envoy Jillian Segal as furthering anti-Palestinian racism in Australia. Attempts to ban criticism of Israel’s genocide, apartheid and illegal occupation in Palestine in Australian universities, schools, the healthcare sector, the arts, immigration system and the media represents a threat to civil liberties and human rights, advocates say.
APAN Vice President Hiba Farra said the fight against bigotry and racism must never be weaponised to silence criticism of ongoing human rights abuses by Israel, or to undermine the democratic freedoms and free speech that allow Australians to challenge injustice.
Hiba Farra is Vice-President of the Australia Palestine Advocacy Network (APAN):
“The special envoy wants to silence criticism of Israel’s genocide in Gaza and its illegal occupation and apartheid system in the West Bank. This latest report is a threat to the civil liberties and free speech of millions of everyday Australians who legitimately wish to defend the human rights and dignity of Palestinians in our universities, schools, hospitals, the arts and in the media.
“Bigotry and racism have no place in Australian society, and to seek to conflate criticism of Israel with antisemitism continues the dehumanisation of Palestinians. It further entrenches anti-Palestinian racism in our society.
“The world has been horrified by Israel’s genocide in Gaza which has killed more than 75,000 Palestinians and by Israel’s ongoing violence and illegal occupation in the West Bank and across all of Palestine. Speaking out against Israel’s ongoing atrocities is the prerogative of anyone who believes in human dignity and human rights.
“The Australian Government must follow in the footsteps of the UK, Canada, France and the international community by sanctioning Israel now instead of adopting the special envoy’s extreme agenda of discrimination.
“This latest intervention from Ms. Segal comes amid a High Court challenge against draconian laws in Queensland which have criminalised the phrases ‘from the river to the sea’ and ‘globalise the intifada.’ More than 30 people have been charged and face 2 years prison for uttering these phrases.”
Human rights can not be conditional
“The right to protest, the freedom to speak out, academic freedom and the independence of our media are essential to our democracy, not a threat to it..
“We are particularly concerned about proposals that could enable political expression to be penalised through funding decisions, institutional sanctions or restrictions on peaceful protest. Such measures risk punishing people for their political views rather than addressing demonstrable acts of discrimination or harm. We are also alarmed at the idea of using visa controls to prevent people falsely accused of antisemitism from coming to Australia. Australia’s border regime is incessantly violent already and this represents a further step down a racist path.
“The answer to antisemitism is not to restrict the space in which people can advocate for Palestinian rights. It is to confront all forms of bigotry directly – starting with the injustices faced by First Nations people – to protect every community from racism, and defend the democratic freedoms that allow us to challenge injustice wherever it occurs.”
ENDS