Jews against the Occupation condemns, in the strongest possible terms the current attacks on Palestinians in Israel, Gaza and the West Bank.
As we approach the 73rd anniversary of the establishment of the State of Israel and the consequent dispossession of the Palestinian people, we see yet another brutal chapter in the ongoing Nakba, the ethnic cleansing of Palestinian people to establish and extend an exclusively Jewish state.
The attempted removal of Palestinians from their homes in Sheikh Jarrah by Israeli “settlers” and the Israeli “Defence” Force (IDF) is distinguishable from business-as-usual for the State of Israel only by the fact that the Palestinians are resisting — their puny stones against the rifles of the settlers and the military might of the IDF.
Throwing stun grenades into the Al Aqsa Mosque during Ramadan, the most sacred period of the Muslim calendar, is a total violation of Palestinian spirituality, culture and humanity.
The current escalation of violence is a typical cynical move by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to prime his political prospects, and is reminiscent of the tactics of fprmer United States' President Donald Trump.
The performance of the Western media in reporting these events is lamentable.
It is reported as a “conflict”, Hamas against Israel as if they were equals, with equal strength and legitimacy in their fight. We hear of rockets from Gaza and the IDF “responding” with its customary ferocity. The attempted removal of Palestinians from their homes in Sheikh Jarrah is air-brushed out.
But the Israeli court has upheld the settler case, firmly implementing the Nation State law which states Israel is the State of the Jews.
If the law is unjust, then resistance is inevitable.
As with the apartheid regime in South Africa, it is time for the whole world to join Israeli human rights organisation B’Tselem and Human Rights Watch in identifying the State of Israel as an apartheid regime.
In particular, the Australian government must speak out in defence of international law and stop military and economic relationships with this rogue state.
The world must condemn and sanction Israel until it abides by international law. The time for impunity for Israel is over.
[Jews Against the Occupation released the statement on May 13.]