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Legislative Council - Fifty-Fourth Parliament, Second Session (54-2)
2021-10-14 Daily Xml
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Motions

Palestinian Conflict

Adjourned debate on motion of Hon. C. Bonaros:

That this council—

1. Condemns the loss of 242 Palestinian lives, including 66 children, during the recent 11-day bombardment by Israel of heavily populated Gaza;

2. Condemns the loss of 12 lives, including two children, due to Hamas rocket fire in Israel;

3. Welcomes the announcement of a ceasefire on 21 May 2021;

4. Calls for an immediate halt to illegal settler expansion in the occupied West Bank and Jerusalem;

5. Recognises the right of the Palestinian people to exercise their inalienable rights, including the right to self-determination without external interference, the right to national independence and sovereignty and the right to return to their homes and property from which they have been displaced;

6. Notes the recent Human Rights Watch report entitled ‘A Threshold Crossed: Israeli Authorities and the Crimes of Apartheid and Persecution’;

7. Calls upon the federal government to assist with the immediate delivery of critical humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian people, particularly those living in Gaza; and

8. Calls upon the federal government to advocate for equal rights for Palestinian and Israeli people.

(Continued from 13 October 2021.)

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Leader of the Opposition) (15:28): I will conclude my remarks; I do not have long to go. When we spoke on this yesterday I talked about the current situation facing many in the Palestinian territories, I talked about Labor's strong support for the people of Palestine, from people like Bob Carr and Bob Hawke, and I spoke about the South Australian Labor Party's strong support of a Palestinian state through various motions that the South Australian branch of the party has passed. I finished by quoting from a 2020 Al Jazeera report on some of the history of the borders and the conflict in Palestine.

In closing, I want to pay tribute to some of the work that is happening right here in Adelaide. Adelaide is the national home of the Australian Friends of Palestine Association. Its website says it is, and I quote:

[It is] a not-for-profit community organisation based in South Australia actively engaged in advocacy for a just peace between Palestine and Israel.

Since its foundation in 2004, AFOPA has significantly added to an understanding in Australia of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and its effects on the Palestinian people.

AFOPA operates as a membership-based Incorporated Association...Our strong, diverse membership is supported by a structured organisation with an active and involved Executive Committee.

The website of the Australian Friends of Palestine Association goes on to explain some of the achievements and aims of the association:

Encouraging Australian governments to take an active international role in easing the suffering of the Palestinian people;

Lobbying Australian political parties to develop just policies...

Engaging local media…

Broadening the Australian community's awareness of Palestine and the Palestinians and encouraging support [for the cause and the position they find themselves in].

I want to pay tribute to the Australian Friends of Palestine Association, an association that I have had a long association with. I meant to check before coming to see if my membership of the association was currently financial. I forgot to do that. I will say that I have had a long association and membership and I will check on my financial status and regularise that if I have not paid my dues for this year.

It is an organisation that has done a lot of work on raising awareness, as has the Parliamentary Friends of Palestine Association, which has done very good work in raising awareness for people in this parliament and individuals and families in South Australia. I particularly want to single out the late Fred Shahin, a Palestinian refugee who came to Australia after being dispossessed of his home. He came to South Australia and, as we know, is one of the great success stories of South Australia. Certainly, the next generation of the Shahin family in South Australia have long educated me on some of the issues that are faced in their homeland and I thank them for that.

In supporting this motion, I want to say being this far away does not reduce our capacity to offer compassion, empathy and assistance for the plight in Palestinian territories. In supporting this motion, I know the opposition extends its compassion and empathy to the victims on both sides of this conflict and calls on parties to ensure that human rights are respected for the sake of a peaceful future.

The Hon. I. PNEVMATIKOS (15:32): I rise today in support of the motion of the Hon. Connie Bonaros. It has been five months since the 11-day bombardment on the Gaza Strip. It is important to note the imbalance of power and resources between the parties as well as the restrictive living conditions in Gaza, which I will talk about briefly.

Today, Gaza is home to more than two million Palestinians in 365 kilometres square, many of whom are refugees from other regions and have been under Israeli blockade since 2007. The Palestinians living there are impacted by the occupation in every aspect of their lives. Their civil rights, freedom of movement, access to land, ability to build, to name a few, are all dependent on whether they have Israeli citizenship. If you are ethnically Palestinian or from several other Arab countries, you are ineligible.

As reflected in the Human Rights Watch report, this illustrates the institutionalised discrimination faced by Palestinians, the severity and continuation of which amount to persecution and crimes against humanity under international criminal law. Israeli authorities methodically privilege Jewish Israelis while repressing Palestinians, most severely in occupied territory.

Since the first Nakba in 1948, Israeli authorities have facilitated the transfer of Jewish Israelis to Palestinian land. Forced evictions and forced demolition of Palestinian homes are occurring to this day and severely impact on already impeded livelihoods. This process is occurring in occupied Palestinian territories, which are Gaza, the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

Earlier this year, a video online went viral of an Israeli settler, Yacob, who had taken over the home of the El-Kurd family in Sheikh Jarrah, East Jerusalem. In the video Yacob can be heard telling the Palestinian woman Muna El-Kurd, 'If I don't steal your house, someone else will.'

Muna's family is one of many in this situation. The El-Kurd family have been sharing their home with settlers who were granted the right to appropriate it in 2009 leaving them with 50 square metres to live in. The conflict earlier this year came to a head following protests in East Jerusalem over an awaited decision of the Israeli Supreme Court on the eviction of six families in Muna's neighbourhood.

Tensions spilled into the nearby areas of East Jerusalem, the Old City, and on 7 May Israeli troops stormed the local al-Aqsa mosque firing stun grenades, tear gas and rubber bullets at worshippers during Ramadan, this being one of the holiest months of the year for many Palestinian Muslims. Hundreds were injured. Hamas rockets fired into Israel on 10 May in response to this, as well as the Israeli authority's refusal to withdraw security forces in the Sheikh Jarrah homes. This attack sadly killed 12 people.

Unfortunately, the assault to follow from Israel was far worse. Israeli forces fired at the blockaded Gaza Strip using warplanes, armed drones and artillery mounted on tanks. As the Hon. C. Bonaros mentioned, the Israeli defence force systematically targeted schools, hospitals, primary healthcare centres, a refugee camp and buildings that house international media. The 11-day assault resulted in almost 250 known deaths, approximately 2,000 injured and over 70,000 displaced.

Although a ceasefire was announced on 21 May, the after-effects live on in destruction of infrastructure, mass homelessness and displacement, and resultant trauma. As the Hon. C. Bonaros mentioned in her speech, access to basic human needs such as health services, sanitation, water and electricity, as well as educational opportunities, are severely lacking in Gaza. One can only imagine the impact the bombardment has had.

We must call on the federal government to improve bilateral support for Palestine by providing critical humanitarian assistance and to advocate for equal rights, starting with a call for the immediate halt to illegal settler expansion in occupied Palestinian territories. This is a start for the federal government to better support the overarching issue, equal rights for Palestinians and ultimately national independence and sovereignty.

It is not enough to simply advocate for a two-state solution. The federal government must take an active stance against state-sanctioned violence and colonial settler oppression. The Gaza attack in May was about domination not defence. This is supported by the long list of criminal practices listed in the HRW report. Our own PM referred to the resulting pro-Palestine rallies by saying:

By all means, people can have concerns and views, and there is a tolerance for that, but at the same time we do not want to import the troubles of other parts of the world into this country.

I disagree, as would Palestinian Australians and many other Australians alike. I believe that, as a nation, we should take an active stand against persecution, and to not want to acknowledge injustice is to take the side of the oppressor.

Lastly, I would like to mention advocates for the Palestinian cause in our South Australian community. The Australian Friends of Palestine Association are a non-profit organisation, which have been actively advocating for justice and peace through education, fundraising and campaigning since 2004. It is important that we as a community, and individuals, take an active stand against discrimination and persecution in solidarity with Palestine.

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS (Treasurer) (15:40): I rise on behalf of the government to speak on this motion moved by the Hon. Ms Bonaros about the conflict in Palestine. I first acknowledge the statement made by Senator the Hon. Marise Payne, Minister for Foreign Affairs, on 12 May 2021, which called on all parties to refrain from violent or provocative acts, and echo her strong words that violence is no solution.

The South Australian government, like the federal government, is concerned about the escalating violence and humanitarian situation in Gaza and the West Bank and welcomed the announcements of a ceasefire on 21 May 2021. We echo the federal minister's calls for all parties to focus on direct and genuine peace negotiations with a view to defining a just, durable and resilient peace agreement.

I note that since this motion was first moved on 26 May 2021, the Minister for Foreign Affairs also announced on 3 June 2021 an additional $5 million in humanitarian funding for the Palestinian territories, including $3 million for the International Committee of the Red Cross for vital medical supplies and $2 million to the UN Office for Project Services to fund urgent logistics to address critical humanitarian needs. In total the Australian government will provide an estimated $29.8 million in official development assistance to the Palestinian territories in 2021-22.

The Australian Representative Office in Ramallah, established in September 2000, oversees the implementation of Australia's development program and humanitarian assistance in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. This aid to the Palestinian territories is a practical demonstration of the Australian government's longstanding support for a two-state solution in which Israel and a future Palestinian state coexist in peace and security within internationally recognised borders.

As the Prime Minister has said, Australia acknowledges the aspirations of the Palestinian people for a future state with its capital in East Jerusalem. Australia also recognises Israel's right to defend itself in accordance with international law and the right of Israelis to live in peace. Equally, Palestinians must be allowed to live in peace and dignity. With this in mind, I move the following amendment standing in my name, which I understand has been circulated to all members:

Leave out paragraphs 1 to 8 and insert new paragraphs as follows:

1. Expresses concern for the loss of life in the Israel-Palestine conflict after the recent escalation of violence which commenced on 10 May 2021;

2. Welcomes the announcement of a ceasefire on 21 May 2021;

3. Commends the diplomatic efforts of all parties who have sought to bring an end to the conflict;

4. Calls on all parties to the conflict to return to direct and genuine peace negotiations as soon as possible, with a view to defining a just, durable, and resilient peace agreement; and

5. Supports a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict, consistent with the federal government's longstanding position on the matter.

The Hon. R.A. SIMMS (15:42): I rise to add my support for the Hon. Connie Bonaros's motion on behalf of the Greens. We thank the honourable member for putting this forward and for providing space for this important discussion to happen here in this place. This motion calls out the Israeli occupation of Palestine, and that is exactly what it is. This is not a conflict. It is an illegal occupation of Palestinian land that is led by the Israeli government.

For decades we have seen the devastating impacts of this military occupation and the resulting violence that has ensued. The 11-day bombardment is merely the most recent outburst of violence in a long history of oppression of the Palestinian people. In only 11 days it is estimated that a staggering 260 lives were lost, which includes at least 60 children—60 children. I recall seeing videos and photos that were circulated over social media just before both the electricity and internet were cut off in the area. There were videos of families hiding in their houses in Gaza as rockets literally rained down around them, and heartbreaking tweets from families sleeping together in one room so that when, not if, they die, they die together and no-one is left behind.

Let's consider for a moment the terrible tragedy of being in that situation and having to consider such things. It is gut-wrenching, and we cannot stand idly by as this cruel oppression of the Palestinian people continues.

The lead-up to this outbreak consisted of several insulting moves made by the Israeli government, provocative moves which stoked the many underlying tensions between the two groups. Twenty-seven days before the first strike Israeli police entered a mosque, the third holiest site in Islam, and on the third night of Ramadan they cut the cables to the speakers broadcasting prayers because it was a memorial day in Israel and the President was delivering a speech.

A week later, a far right-wing Jewish group marched through central Jerusalem chanting 'death to Arabs' and attacking Palestinians on the street. On the last day of Ramadan, Israeli police entered a mosque yet again, this time armed with tear gas, stun grenades and rubber bullets. Seeing armed police carry and fire weapons in one of the holiest sites on one of the holiest nights in Islam was seen as a terrible insult, and rightly so.

At around the same time, six families were also facing expulsion from their homes, as many have over time due to a provision in Israeli law that allows Jewish people to reclaim land that was once owned by Jewish people prior to 1948, although there is no such provision for the many Palestinians who have had to flee their homes and return to reclaim their land.

The final hearing happened to fall on Jerusalem Day, where Jewish people celebrate the reunification of Jerusalem in 1967, which was actually a result of an illegal occupation in East Jerusalem by Israeli forces. Both the hearing and the celebrations were postponed, but by 6pm that evening the militant group that controls the Gaza Strip, Hamas, began firing rockets, which saw the start of attacks from both sides. Years and years of blockades, restrictions, occupations and discrimination that has not been addressed rose to the surface, as they have in the past and will likely again in the future, unless a lasting solution that both Palestinians and Israelis can agree to is found.

This is by no means a simple issue—I think we all recognise that—but the UN plan of 1947 was a gross oversimplification that resulted in more harm than good and has seen Palestinian land shrink smaller and smaller ever since. Due to its significance in Judaism, Islam and Christianity, all throughout history we have seen the area surrounding Jerusalem overthrown time and again by various powers, buildings burnt down and then the rebuild on the sacred Temple Mount.

However, this long history does not mean we can simply dismiss this as too complex and put it in the too-hard basket. Some think that speaking out against this oppression is to be anti-Semitic; that is simply not true. People are being pushed out of their homes and forced to build illegal settlements because they cannot move freely. People are being denied their human rights, and human rights watchers found that in certain areas these depravations are so severe that they amount to crimes against humanity of apartheid and persecution.

The late and great Martin Luther King once said that injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We have a responsibility, as the Hon. Irene Pnevmatikos has said, to speak up against the oppression of the Palestinian people and to urge our federal government to play a leadership role, to show some moral leadership, not simply to say, 'Oh, this is all too hard, we don't want other countries' problems being talked about here in Australia.'

What an absurd approach is that, particularly when one considers the involvement of Australia, in particular under the leadership of the Liberal Party, in the Middle East, the illegal war on Iraq, the wars on Afghanistan and so on. We do have a responsibility to apply diplomatic pressure and to call Israel to account when it behaves in a way that is in breach of international law and when it flouts international conventions. We have a responsibility, a moral responsibility, to speak out.

I wish to conclude by echoing calls to the Australian government to take a stand against this illegal occupation, to provide help and support to the people of Palestine and to call for a lasting solution for both Palestinians and Israelis. It is time for the Morrison government to step up and to engage and to show some leadership on human rights.

The Hon. E.S. BOURKE (15:49): On behalf of the Hon. I.K. Hunter, I move to amend the motion as follows:

Leave out paragraph 6, and insert new paragraph as follows—

6. Notes the growing number of reports highlighting the Palestinian people's plight, including the Human Rights Watch report;

We are moving this amendment to acknowledge the work that has been put in by the Hon. Connie Bonaros, but we feel that it is too narrow just to focus on one particular report and will be expanding that to look at the growing number of reports that are looking into this matter.

The Hon. C. BONAROS (15:50): At the outset, I would like to thank honourable members for their contributions: the Leader of the Opposition, the Hon. Kyam Maher; the Hon. Irene Pnevmatikos; the Hon. Robert Simms; the Hon. Emily Bourke for the amendment that she has moved; the Hon. Rob Lucas; and our crossbench colleagues, the Hon. Tammy Franks and the Hon. John Darley.

I too would like to express my thanks once again to the Australian Friends of Palestine Association and its members both past and present. Of course, it would be remiss of me not to acknowledge the efforts of many individuals, as highlighted by the Leader of the Opposition, including the Shahin family, who have made it their mission to ensure we all keep the plight of the Palestinian people front and centre of our minds. I would like to thank in particular Dr Amal Shahin, who has worked with me on some of these issues, and I would personally like to thank a very dear friend of mine and advocate, Ms Abby Hamden.

This very important motion recognises the right of the Palestinian people to exercise their inalienable rights: the rights of self-determination without external interference, the right to national independence and sovereignty, and the right to return to their homes and properties from which they have been displaced.

The Palestinian people have suffered inequality and oppression for years, and that has been highlighted today by honourable members, and many have not known any other way of life. While the world watches, and despite our absolute horror, human rights abuses continue to go unchecked. The Palestinian people continue to live without their basic human rights in an open-air prison, with sweeping restrictions on movement. As highlighted by the Hon. Irene Pnevmatikos, the Palestinian people continue to live without proper sanitation. They continue to live in conditions where water is unfit for human consumption and children continue to suffer because of it. They continue to live an oppressed life.

I would like to close by saying that this is not about choosing sides. It is about basic human rights. It is not about fearing to offend our Israeli brothers and sisters in Australia. It is about equal rights for everyone, regardless of their nationality, regardless of their religion and regardless of their race. As I have said before, it is about recognising the right of the Palestinian people to exercise their inalienable rights. That is not something that we should be fearful of supporting. It is something that we should support freely, openly and with as much enthusiasm as it deserves.

I am very grateful to everybody for their support. I would like to indicate in closing once again my thanks—SA-Best's thanks—to all honourable members and indicate that I will be supporting the amendment of the Hon. Emily Bourke.

The Hon. R.I. Lucas' amendment negatived; the Hon. E.S. Bourke's amendment carried; motion as amended carried.

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