ANIC is Concerned Over the Recent Visit of the

Prime Minister of Israel to Australia

23rd of February 2017

The Australian National Imams Council (ANIC) is concerned over the recent visit of the Prime Minister of Israel to Australia. Israel has exercised brutalities against the Palestinian people with their illegal occupation and apartheid state.

ANIC and the Muslim community expect an impartial and unbiased stance from the Australian government on the Israeli - Palestinian conflict.

Prime Minister Turnbull mentioned in his speech at the 80th Birthday of JewishCare in December, 2016,

“Australia is a good friend of Israel, the Middle East’s only democracy. We have been resolute in supporting Israel’s right to take the necessary steps to defend itself from terror.” (http://www.news.com.au/finance/work/leaders/australias-israel-position-to-be-set-by-admiring-libs-when-netanyahu-visits/news-story/1333fc463d9529dea093746ed0c0c21e)

These comments disregard the other democratic countries in the region such as Tunisia, Lebanon and Turkey and further cement the Turnbull government's stance of support for the Israeli government which has violated a minimum of ten United Nation’s resolutions dating from as early as 1967 and recently this year (2016). (https://www.un.org/press/en/2016/sc12657.doc.htm)

This comment insinuates that Israel has the right to expand itself under the guise of the war on terror, while the reality points towards who is deserving of the label ‘Terrorist’.

Australia, as a country, is a champion of human rights and should be leading the demand of Israel ceasing its illegal settlement and respecting the rights of the Palestinian People.

ANIC calls upon the diverse, multicultural and ethical Australian community to stand for justice against these violations and to voice their concerns to their local MP’s and other political avenues that are available to them.