On behalf of the Newtown electorate, I acknowledge the peaceful rally in support of Palestine organised by Palestine Action Group and Tzedek, an anti-Zionist Jewish collective, last Sunday 15 October at Hyde Park. More than 6,000 community members gathered in solidarity with the Palestinian people to solemnly mourn the rising civilian death toll and call for urgent de-escalation and an end to the illegal Israeli occupation of Palestine as the situation in Gaza worsens. Particularly in times of heightened tension, speaking out requires courage and conviction. I acknowledge the staunch and uncompromising activism and words of each of the speakers at Sunday's rally, including Josh Lee, Rand, Michelle, Ethan Floyd, Professor Peter Slezak, New South Wales Greens Senator Mehreen Faruqi, Fahad Ali, Ramia Abdo Sultan. In particular I thank Sheikh Wesam Abdo; Suzan Wahhab, President of Palestinian Christians in Australia; and the Jewish community member who ended the rally peacefully, for the prayers from their respective faiths. I thank all who participated for their unwavering solidarity with and support for Palestine.
On the 13th of May, our office hosted a 2025 Nakba Day commemoration event in NSW Parliament. It was wonderful to be joined by so many activists and community members who remain committed to calling for a free Palestine. Joining us as our guest speaker was the wonderful Nasser Mashni, President of the Australia Palestine Advocacy Network. We were also joined by former NSW Greens Senator Lee Rhiannon, and Dr Peter Slezak, Honorary Associate Professor of Philosophy at UNSW. We thank them for their time and the powerful words that they shared with us on the evening. We would also like to recognise our wonderful co-hosts who made the evening possible, including supplying the delicious snacks! Be sure to check out their important work at the links below: Australia Palestine Advocacy Network, Coalition for Justice and Peace in Palestine, Coalition of Women for Justice and Peace, Dare to Struggle Films, FILEF Australia, Jews Against the Occupation ‘48, Palestine Fair Trade Australia, Palestine Justice Movement Sydney, and Palestinian Christians in Australia On the evening, we presented a screening of “Palestinians Don’t Need Sidewalks,’ the second film produced by Dare to Struggle Films in partnership with the Hebron Human Rights Defenders. The film takes us through occupied Palestine. You can keep up with Dare To Struggle Films’ and further screenings of their work by following them here. Thank you to those who joined us to commemorate the Nakba that occurred 77 years ago and to recognise that the struggle for Palestinian liberation and an end to the occupation continues. Let us continue to struggle until Palestine is free. Photos taken by Ishbel Dunsmore
In February this year the Sydney Morning Herald reported on a community forum in solidarity with Palestine that I spoke at in December 2023. During the forum I used language that had unintended antisemitic implications and caused some members of the community hurt. I subsequently issued an unreserved public apology. Following this media coverage, an individual made a complaint to the Australian Human Rights Commission. I am pleased we have now resolved the complaint through a conciliation process. In addition to the unreserved public apology I made in February this year, I have also made a $2000 donation to the Sydney Jewish Museum and will visit the Museum in the coming weeks as a way of deepening my understanding of racism, antisemitism and genocide. I have also chosen to donate $2000 to the Jewish Council of Australia - a diverse coalition of Jewish academics, lawyers, writers and teachers united in their opposition to Israel’s continued policies aimed at the destruction of Palestinian life. I reaffirm my commitment to continual care and reflection in my ongoing work for human rights and advocacy for a free Palestine.
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