The Greens party leader of Australia, Adam Bandt, criticized Labor’s handling of the war on Gaza, by accusing the government of “empty words as they continue to back the invasion and let [Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu] get away with absolutely zero consequences.”
Seen by The Guardian Australia, an advance copy of Bandt’s speech revealed that the leader intended to announce at the state library in Melbourne on Sunday that the Albanese government has to pressure “Israel” to end its war on Gaza.
He noted that Netanyahu’s “extreme war cabinet” must have sanctions imposed on it by Labor, while specific defense contracts and bilateral military trade must be withdrawn and ruled out, in addition to expelling the Israeli ambassador until the end of the war.
He furthermore called on Australia to recognize Palestine as a state.
Bandt called on Sunday’s rally to maintain protests in a peaceful manner in response to what he said was “slander” and “lies” from politicians and media to discredit them.
“Now I understand you will be marching after this. I know you will make your views heard peacefully. There has been so much slander about your peaceful protests that I just want to make something crystal clear, something you all know already: there is no place for violence in our politics, against people, politicians, their staff or their offices, and everyone has the right to feel safe,” he said.
“I know that is not what you’re about, but I’m just making this clear for the Labor and Liberal politicians and those in the media who are now attacking your peaceful protests and deliberately trying to discredit you and stop you from speaking out. Their lies cannot stop the push for peace. Keep being peaceful, and keep being powerful, and we will win.”
Back in March, Albanese became the first Western leader to be referred to the International Criminal Court for being an “accessory to genocide” in Gaza.
According to attorney Sheryn Omeri in an interview for ABC‘s News Breakfast, he has been referred as a result of having supplied financial and political support for “Israel”, which has now killed over 36,000 Palestinians.
Earlier last month, Australia could recognize Palestinian statehood even before a formal “peace process” between Palestinian authorities and “Israel” is done, according to Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, hours after the country joined 143 other nations in a United Nations Security Council resolution to expand the rights and privileges of the Palestinian delegation in New York.
Source: AlMayadeen
