Parliamentary honour for Gaza activists sparks outrage
THE decision by Greens MP David Shoebridge to host a farewell function at Parliament House this week for activists preparing to set sail to break Israel’s blockade on Gaza has sparked outrage among Jewish leaders.
THE decision by Greens MP David Shoebridge to host a farewell function at Parliament House this week for activists preparing to set sail to break Israel’s blockade on Gaza has sparked outrage among Jewish leaders.
The activists – including former NSW Greens MO Sylvia Hale – are planning to board the so-called Freedom Flotilla II later this month. Their aim is to break the Israeli naval blockade and deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza, this is despite the fact that the border crossing between Egypt and Gaza is now fully open.
NSW Jewish Board of Deputies acting president Jeremy Spinak questioned why a state MP would encourage people to break the law of a legitimate government.
“It’s a sad state of affairs that the Greens are using Parliament House, with its proud history, to promote an event that will be in violation of international law,” Spinak said. “The organisers of the event know that the flotilla seeks to break a blockade, which is in place because of Hamas’ ongoing war on Israel.”
Shoebridge, however, has defended his actions.
As a co-convener of the NSW Parliamentary Friends of Palestine, he said the “multi-party” group of state MPs is “promoting peace and justice in the Middle East”.
“There is a long and proud tradition of the NSW Parliament being a place for free and open political discussion, including on matters that some view as controversial. That should be the role of any functioning parliament,” he told The AJN.
“The flotilla is a humanitarian assistance project to assist people who have been denied basic human rights.”
The controversial mission comes one year after a similar voyage ended in violence with nine activists killed by Israeli navy troops, prompting worldwide protests.
A government-appointed Turkel commission later concluded, however, that Israel acted within international law and its soldiers opened fire in self-defence after being confronted with violence by activists.
CHANTAL ABITBOL
Greens MP David Shoebridge
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