New Greens leader: BDS ‘is behind us’
NEW federal Greens leader Senator Christine Milne (pictured) has given a fresh assurance that her party does not support the global Boycotts, Divestment and Sanctions campaign (BDS) against Israel.
NEW federal Greens leader Senator Christine Milne (pictured) has given a fresh assurance that her party does not support the global Boycotts, Divestment and Sanctions campaign (BDS) against Israel.
Milne spoke to The AJN days after being appointed the successor to fellow Tasmanian Senator Bob Brown, who made the sudden announcement of his retirement from politics last Friday.
In a wide-ranging interview about Israel and the Middle East, Milne made it clear that BDS was not only no longer NSW party policy, but had never been federal policy.
“That issue is behind us, and I think it’s a good opportunity to restart the conversation,” she said.
“The Greens have always had a position of supporting a two-state solution and that is absolutely my position.
“We also support peace and non-violence, which is a fundamental principle for The Greens, and we condemn violence against property and people from any quarter.”
Milne, who spoke in support of the Palestinian Authority’s bid for statehood at the United Nations (UN) last year, said The Greens recognised both Israel’s right to exist and the Palestinians’ right to a state.
“I think peace has to be pursued on all sides, and that’s why The Greens have always taken the position that we want to see an internationally negotiated outcome,” she said.
“We also have a very strong position on social justice and human rights, and so of course that pertains to everybody who lives in the region.”
When asked about her view on incitement against Jews occurring in Palestinian media and schools, Milne said she condemned the incitement of violence “on any side”.
“I certainly don’t support anyone glorifying taking action that involves the physical harm or displacement of any person,” she said.
“[And] from my point of view, I certainly don’t want to see in schools, anything in curricula anywhere, that encourages people to take a view that would lead to religious violence or discrimination of any kind.”
Milne said she was “absolutely aware” of Israel’s environmental credentials, noting it had been a global leader in water efficiency for some time.
She also recalled being impressed by environmental activities she saw while backpacking in Israel in the early 1980s.
Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ) executive director Peter Wertheim welcomed Milne’s rejection of BDS and said it was “refreshing” that she acknowledged Israel’s environmental credentials.
But he said the community was still concerned about The Greens’ policies on private school funding, religious freedom, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Iran, the UN and the US alliance.
“We are seeking a meeting with Christine Milne to further develop our relationship with The Greens and clarify issues that especially affect our community,” he said.
Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council executive director Colin Rubenstein also welcomed Milne’s stance on BDS and support for a two-state solution.
“We trust The Greens will join the bipartisan Australian and international consensus in encouraging the Palestinians to resume bilateral talks with Israel to that end, will oppose religious extremism which threatens liberal freedoms in Australia and elsewhere, and will always be unequivocal in condemning racism and antisemitism,” he said.
GARETH NARUNSKY
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