Coalition of Australian community groups call for urgent action on Palestinian human rights

Pax Australia is a member of the Australia Palestine Advocacy Network

Media Release, 7am Sept 24

The annual meeting of the Australia Palestine Advocacy Network echoed the call from visiting Israeli historian Professor Ilan Pappe for Australians to be a voice for justice for Palestinians.
The President of APAN, the Reverend Jim Barr, said “APAN joins Professor Pappe in calling for freedom, justice and equality for all Palestinians.
“Over 26 church, union and community based advocacy groups met in Adelaide over the weekend to discuss recent developments within Australia and strategies for presenting the issue of Palestinian rights to a broad Australian public.
“It was inspiring to see such a broad representation of Australians coming together to advance understanding and compassion for Palestinians suffering human rights abuses on a daily a basis.
“If Australia wants to be a responsible and influential global citizen, our government needs to exert more pressure on Israel to comply with their obligations under International law.
“Professor Pappe, at the Edward Said Memorial Lecture, highlighted that the Boycott, Divestments and Sanctions Movement is an effective nonviolent strategy for the international community to use to influence Israeli government policy.
“This weekend’s meeting of concerned community groups builds on the great work happening nationally and internationally to support the Palestinian people,” Reverend Barr said.

Resolution as passed on Sept 23, 2012
The Australia Palestine Advocacy Network calls on the Australian Government to make urgent representations to the Israeli Government to comply with its obligations under international law in relation to the rights of the Palestinian people.

Contact: Rev Jim Barr APAN President 0425462277