Southwick petitions against BDS
MEMBER for Caulfield David Southwick will present a petition to Parliament on Tuesday, calling on the government to continue efforts to combat the anti-Israel Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) campaign.
Southwick started the petition, which already has 200 signatures, late last year and will table it at the first sitting of Parliament for 2012.
“It is vital that all supporters of Israel stand up against these hate-filled and misleading protesters. I encourage people to sign the petition and fight these extreme-left protestors, who display nothing but hate and contempt for democracy and the state of Israel,” Southwick told The AJN.
Southwick praised Spring Street for its hard line on BDS, but said momentum in the fight against targeted attacks on Israeli businesses must be maintained.
“The Baillieu government has acted already to crack down on these protests and their supporters. By signing this petition, our community will send a strong message to the government to continue to act and not tolerate this campaign of violence and intimidation.”
The campaign appears set to continue, however, with yet another rally scheduled for Friday, February 3 in Melbourne.
“These regular protests are having a real impact on Victorian small businesses by blockading shopping centres and scaring off customers,” Southwick said.
“We cannot tolerate this sort of behaviour and allow a vocal minority to deprive business owners and their employees of the right to operate and work in a safe environment.”
Anyone wishing to sign the petition can do so at Beth Weizmann Community Centre (306 Hawthorn Road, Caulfield South) or at David Southwick’s offices (1/193 Balaclava Road, Caulfield North).
AJN STAFF
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