Latest news with #AustralianPalestineAdvocacyNetwork
Canberra Times
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Canberra Times
Taskforce promises action after anti-Semitic attacks
"There have been no task forces, no public statements of care for Palestinians as they watch their loved ones massacred by the genocidal state of Israel, or are targeted by anti-Palestinian racism here in Australia," Australian Palestine Advocacy Network president Nasser Mashni said on Tuesday.
The Advertiser
08-07-2025
- Politics
- The Advertiser
Double standards claim over synagogue attack response
Political leaders have been accused of double standards on Palestinian Australians as action is taken over a spate of incidents involving Jewish institutions. Worshippers were forced to flee the East Melbourne Synagogue after it was firebombed on the same night Israeli restaurant Miznon in the CBD was targeted by pro-Palestine protesters. Sydney man Angelo Loras, 34, has been charged over Friday night's synagogue firebombing. A state task force has been announced to tackle hate and examine police powers after the incidents, as federal leaders promise more action to protect Jewish Australians. Palestinian Australians have accused leaders of political silence, suspicion, hostility or surveillance when it comes to their plight and say they are met with protest crackdowns and threatened with repressive laws. "There have been no task forces, no public statements of care for Palestinians as they watch their loved ones massacred by the genocidal state of Israel, or are targeted by anti-Palestinian racism here in Australia," Australian Palestine Advocacy Network president Nasser Mashni said. Mr Mashni demanded political leaders stop criminalising Palestinian resistance, grief and political expression and engage in meaningful consultation and inclusion in decisions that affect their lives and rights. "The longer political leaders ignore and avoid us, the more obvious their double standards become," he said. Miznon's owners have spoken of the "profound impact" of the incident on Friday. The demonstration outside the Hardware Lane restaurant ended with protesters smashing a glass door, up-ending tables and throwing chairs. About 20 protesters converged on the restaurant, some chanting "death to the IDF" in reference to the Israel Defence Force. Police on Tuesday charged a 50-year-old Richmond man, a 48-year-old Footscray woman and a 28-year-old Essendon woman with assault, affray, riotous behaviour and criminal damage after another person was arrested and then released for hindering police that night. The restaurant said the actions of a few had caused much distress to customers, patrons and staff in neighbouring restaurants. "We respect everyone's right to their own nationality and religion. We ask for the same," the owners said in an Instagram post. Whistleblowers, Activists and Communities Alliance has taken responsibility for the protest. Victoria Police has rejected claims its officers were told not to confront protesters at the restaurant. Opposition Leader Sussan Ley spoke to community members and inspected the damage during a visit to the synagogue on Tuesday. She urged the prime minister to convene a national cabinet meeting and wants the government to reveal its plans to protect Jewish Australians. Anthony Albanese has flagged more action from his government as it works with a special envoy on anti-Semitism, but he pushed back against hosting a national cabinet, saying people want action instead of more meetings. Executive Council of Australian Jewry president Daniel Aghion urged Victorian authorities to disallow weekly pro-Palestine protests in their current form and bring in protest zones. Premier Jacinta Allan labelled the weekly rally "odious" but said protesting was part of democracy. Protest organisers stressed they were opposed to the Israeli occupation of Gaza and leaders needed to distinguish between the IDF and Australia's Jewish community. The Jewish Council of Australia denounced the synagogue attack but said it was "irresponsible and inflammatory" to link the anti-Semitic act with legitimate protests. Separate offenders on Saturday spray-painted cars with anti-Semitic "inferences" then set them alight in the city's northeast, while a fourth incident involved offensive images spray-painted on pillars and walls near a Holocaust museum in Elsternwick. Political leaders have been accused of double standards on Palestinian Australians as action is taken over a spate of incidents involving Jewish institutions. Worshippers were forced to flee the East Melbourne Synagogue after it was firebombed on the same night Israeli restaurant Miznon in the CBD was targeted by pro-Palestine protesters. Sydney man Angelo Loras, 34, has been charged over Friday night's synagogue firebombing. A state task force has been announced to tackle hate and examine police powers after the incidents, as federal leaders promise more action to protect Jewish Australians. Palestinian Australians have accused leaders of political silence, suspicion, hostility or surveillance when it comes to their plight and say they are met with protest crackdowns and threatened with repressive laws. "There have been no task forces, no public statements of care for Palestinians as they watch their loved ones massacred by the genocidal state of Israel, or are targeted by anti-Palestinian racism here in Australia," Australian Palestine Advocacy Network president Nasser Mashni said. Mr Mashni demanded political leaders stop criminalising Palestinian resistance, grief and political expression and engage in meaningful consultation and inclusion in decisions that affect their lives and rights. "The longer political leaders ignore and avoid us, the more obvious their double standards become," he said. Miznon's owners have spoken of the "profound impact" of the incident on Friday. The demonstration outside the Hardware Lane restaurant ended with protesters smashing a glass door, up-ending tables and throwing chairs. About 20 protesters converged on the restaurant, some chanting "death to the IDF" in reference to the Israel Defence Force. Police on Tuesday charged a 50-year-old Richmond man, a 48-year-old Footscray woman and a 28-year-old Essendon woman with assault, affray, riotous behaviour and criminal damage after another person was arrested and then released for hindering police that night. The restaurant said the actions of a few had caused much distress to customers, patrons and staff in neighbouring restaurants. "We respect everyone's right to their own nationality and religion. We ask for the same," the owners said in an Instagram post. Whistleblowers, Activists and Communities Alliance has taken responsibility for the protest. Victoria Police has rejected claims its officers were told not to confront protesters at the restaurant. Opposition Leader Sussan Ley spoke to community members and inspected the damage during a visit to the synagogue on Tuesday. She urged the prime minister to convene a national cabinet meeting and wants the government to reveal its plans to protect Jewish Australians. Anthony Albanese has flagged more action from his government as it works with a special envoy on anti-Semitism, but he pushed back against hosting a national cabinet, saying people want action instead of more meetings. Executive Council of Australian Jewry president Daniel Aghion urged Victorian authorities to disallow weekly pro-Palestine protests in their current form and bring in protest zones. Premier Jacinta Allan labelled the weekly rally "odious" but said protesting was part of democracy. Protest organisers stressed they were opposed to the Israeli occupation of Gaza and leaders needed to distinguish between the IDF and Australia's Jewish community. The Jewish Council of Australia denounced the synagogue attack but said it was "irresponsible and inflammatory" to link the anti-Semitic act with legitimate protests. Separate offenders on Saturday spray-painted cars with anti-Semitic "inferences" then set them alight in the city's northeast, while a fourth incident involved offensive images spray-painted on pillars and walls near a Holocaust museum in Elsternwick. Political leaders have been accused of double standards on Palestinian Australians as action is taken over a spate of incidents involving Jewish institutions. Worshippers were forced to flee the East Melbourne Synagogue after it was firebombed on the same night Israeli restaurant Miznon in the CBD was targeted by pro-Palestine protesters. Sydney man Angelo Loras, 34, has been charged over Friday night's synagogue firebombing. A state task force has been announced to tackle hate and examine police powers after the incidents, as federal leaders promise more action to protect Jewish Australians. Palestinian Australians have accused leaders of political silence, suspicion, hostility or surveillance when it comes to their plight and say they are met with protest crackdowns and threatened with repressive laws. "There have been no task forces, no public statements of care for Palestinians as they watch their loved ones massacred by the genocidal state of Israel, or are targeted by anti-Palestinian racism here in Australia," Australian Palestine Advocacy Network president Nasser Mashni said. Mr Mashni demanded political leaders stop criminalising Palestinian resistance, grief and political expression and engage in meaningful consultation and inclusion in decisions that affect their lives and rights. "The longer political leaders ignore and avoid us, the more obvious their double standards become," he said. Miznon's owners have spoken of the "profound impact" of the incident on Friday. The demonstration outside the Hardware Lane restaurant ended with protesters smashing a glass door, up-ending tables and throwing chairs. About 20 protesters converged on the restaurant, some chanting "death to the IDF" in reference to the Israel Defence Force. Police on Tuesday charged a 50-year-old Richmond man, a 48-year-old Footscray woman and a 28-year-old Essendon woman with assault, affray, riotous behaviour and criminal damage after another person was arrested and then released for hindering police that night. The restaurant said the actions of a few had caused much distress to customers, patrons and staff in neighbouring restaurants. "We respect everyone's right to their own nationality and religion. We ask for the same," the owners said in an Instagram post. Whistleblowers, Activists and Communities Alliance has taken responsibility for the protest. Victoria Police has rejected claims its officers were told not to confront protesters at the restaurant. Opposition Leader Sussan Ley spoke to community members and inspected the damage during a visit to the synagogue on Tuesday. She urged the prime minister to convene a national cabinet meeting and wants the government to reveal its plans to protect Jewish Australians. Anthony Albanese has flagged more action from his government as it works with a special envoy on anti-Semitism, but he pushed back against hosting a national cabinet, saying people want action instead of more meetings. Executive Council of Australian Jewry president Daniel Aghion urged Victorian authorities to disallow weekly pro-Palestine protests in their current form and bring in protest zones. Premier Jacinta Allan labelled the weekly rally "odious" but said protesting was part of democracy. Protest organisers stressed they were opposed to the Israeli occupation of Gaza and leaders needed to distinguish between the IDF and Australia's Jewish community. The Jewish Council of Australia denounced the synagogue attack but said it was "irresponsible and inflammatory" to link the anti-Semitic act with legitimate protests. Separate offenders on Saturday spray-painted cars with anti-Semitic "inferences" then set them alight in the city's northeast, while a fourth incident involved offensive images spray-painted on pillars and walls near a Holocaust museum in Elsternwick. Political leaders have been accused of double standards on Palestinian Australians as action is taken over a spate of incidents involving Jewish institutions. Worshippers were forced to flee the East Melbourne Synagogue after it was firebombed on the same night Israeli restaurant Miznon in the CBD was targeted by pro-Palestine protesters. Sydney man Angelo Loras, 34, has been charged over Friday night's synagogue firebombing. A state task force has been announced to tackle hate and examine police powers after the incidents, as federal leaders promise more action to protect Jewish Australians. Palestinian Australians have accused leaders of political silence, suspicion, hostility or surveillance when it comes to their plight and say they are met with protest crackdowns and threatened with repressive laws. "There have been no task forces, no public statements of care for Palestinians as they watch their loved ones massacred by the genocidal state of Israel, or are targeted by anti-Palestinian racism here in Australia," Australian Palestine Advocacy Network president Nasser Mashni said. Mr Mashni demanded political leaders stop criminalising Palestinian resistance, grief and political expression and engage in meaningful consultation and inclusion in decisions that affect their lives and rights. "The longer political leaders ignore and avoid us, the more obvious their double standards become," he said. Miznon's owners have spoken of the "profound impact" of the incident on Friday. The demonstration outside the Hardware Lane restaurant ended with protesters smashing a glass door, up-ending tables and throwing chairs. About 20 protesters converged on the restaurant, some chanting "death to the IDF" in reference to the Israel Defence Force. Police on Tuesday charged a 50-year-old Richmond man, a 48-year-old Footscray woman and a 28-year-old Essendon woman with assault, affray, riotous behaviour and criminal damage after another person was arrested and then released for hindering police that night. The restaurant said the actions of a few had caused much distress to customers, patrons and staff in neighbouring restaurants. "We respect everyone's right to their own nationality and religion. We ask for the same," the owners said in an Instagram post. Whistleblowers, Activists and Communities Alliance has taken responsibility for the protest. Victoria Police has rejected claims its officers were told not to confront protesters at the restaurant. Opposition Leader Sussan Ley spoke to community members and inspected the damage during a visit to the synagogue on Tuesday. She urged the prime minister to convene a national cabinet meeting and wants the government to reveal its plans to protect Jewish Australians. Anthony Albanese has flagged more action from his government as it works with a special envoy on anti-Semitism, but he pushed back against hosting a national cabinet, saying people want action instead of more meetings. Executive Council of Australian Jewry president Daniel Aghion urged Victorian authorities to disallow weekly pro-Palestine protests in their current form and bring in protest zones. Premier Jacinta Allan labelled the weekly rally "odious" but said protesting was part of democracy. Protest organisers stressed they were opposed to the Israeli occupation of Gaza and leaders needed to distinguish between the IDF and Australia's Jewish community. The Jewish Council of Australia denounced the synagogue attack but said it was "irresponsible and inflammatory" to link the anti-Semitic act with legitimate protests. Separate offenders on Saturday spray-painted cars with anti-Semitic "inferences" then set them alight in the city's northeast, while a fourth incident involved offensive images spray-painted on pillars and walls near a Holocaust museum in Elsternwick.
Canberra Times
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Canberra Times
Double standards claim over synagogue attack response
"There have been no task forces, no public statements of care for Palestinians as they watch their loved ones massacred by the genocidal state of Israel, or are targeted by anti-Palestinian racism here in Australia," Australian Palestine Advocacy Network president Nasser Mashni said.
The Advertiser
12-06-2025
- Politics
- The Advertiser
Israeli minister sanctions dubbed too little, too late
The sanctioning of two Israeli ministers by Australia has been labelled a "slap on the wrist" by a prominent pro-Palestine advocate. The federal government has imposed sanctions on Israel's National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich in a co-ordinated move with Canada, New Zealand, Norway and the United Kingdom. The sanctions were applied for "extremist violence and serious abuses of Palestinian human rights", with the pair barred from travelling to Australia and any assets in the country being frozen. The measures prompted condemnation from the US, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio saying it would do little to achieve a ceasefire in the conflict. Australian Palestine Advocacy Network president Nasser Mashni welcomed the move but said it was too little, too late. "These sanctions are crumbs, tossed by the Australian government 613 days too late," he said. "This is a small step, but Australia must stop pretending that a slap on the wrist for two fascist ministers is justice." Mr Mashni said further sanctions, similar to measures imposed against Russian officials for the country's invasion of Ukraine, need to be applied. "Australians of good conscience demand real action. That means a full array of sanctions," he said. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has doubled down on the need for the sanctions, despite blowback from Israel and the US. Opposition Leader Sussan Ley says the government has overstepped its bounds. "It is unprecedented to, as a government, take actions, sanctions on members of a democratically elected government," she told Sky News on Thursday. "The US has explained that these actions are actually counterproductive to securing that ceasefire and that peace, and the government should be paying attention to that." Shadow attorney-general Julian Leeser, who is Jewish, says the style of sanctions imposed by the government was normally reserved for human rights abusers and terrorists. "The big question here is whether this is a new standard that will be applied to the public comments of officials from other countries," he told ABC Radio. "If this is the new standard, it will have serious implications for our international relations.". Middle East politics professor at Deakin University Shahram Akbarzadeh said the sanctions were a consequential step. "It is significant and it sends a signal that Australia is becoming more resolute in pursuing its foreign policy agenda of a two-state solution," he told AAP. "Australia would not have done this on its own, but when Australia sees other allied countries taking this move, that allows Australia to feel comfortable in numbers." Israel's ambassador to Australia Amir Maimon said the sanctions were concerning and unacceptable. "These ministers are part of a government that operates under the principle of collective responsibility, making such measures unreasonable," he said in a statement. "The Israeli government will convene early next week to consider and determine our official response to these actions." Prof Akbarzadeh said the sanctions imposed by the Western allies would not alter how Israel would conduct itself in the conflict. "Israel has shown it does not take international opinion seriously, and this move is unlikely to deter the Israeli government in the way they're prosecuting the war in Gaza," he said. The latest eruption of war in Gaza was sparked by militant group Hamas killing about 1200 people and abducting 250 others in Israel on October 7, 2023. Israel's military response has since killed almost 55,000 mostly civilian Palestinians in Gaza, local health authorities say. Australia in July also sanctioned Israelis involved in attacking and killing Palestinians in the West Bank. Australia has listed Hamas as a terrorist entity since 2001, according to the federal government's national security website. The sanctioning of two Israeli ministers by Australia has been labelled a "slap on the wrist" by a prominent pro-Palestine advocate. The federal government has imposed sanctions on Israel's National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich in a co-ordinated move with Canada, New Zealand, Norway and the United Kingdom. The sanctions were applied for "extremist violence and serious abuses of Palestinian human rights", with the pair barred from travelling to Australia and any assets in the country being frozen. The measures prompted condemnation from the US, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio saying it would do little to achieve a ceasefire in the conflict. Australian Palestine Advocacy Network president Nasser Mashni welcomed the move but said it was too little, too late. "These sanctions are crumbs, tossed by the Australian government 613 days too late," he said. "This is a small step, but Australia must stop pretending that a slap on the wrist for two fascist ministers is justice." Mr Mashni said further sanctions, similar to measures imposed against Russian officials for the country's invasion of Ukraine, need to be applied. "Australians of good conscience demand real action. That means a full array of sanctions," he said. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has doubled down on the need for the sanctions, despite blowback from Israel and the US. Opposition Leader Sussan Ley says the government has overstepped its bounds. "It is unprecedented to, as a government, take actions, sanctions on members of a democratically elected government," she told Sky News on Thursday. "The US has explained that these actions are actually counterproductive to securing that ceasefire and that peace, and the government should be paying attention to that." Shadow attorney-general Julian Leeser, who is Jewish, says the style of sanctions imposed by the government was normally reserved for human rights abusers and terrorists. "The big question here is whether this is a new standard that will be applied to the public comments of officials from other countries," he told ABC Radio. "If this is the new standard, it will have serious implications for our international relations.". Middle East politics professor at Deakin University Shahram Akbarzadeh said the sanctions were a consequential step. "It is significant and it sends a signal that Australia is becoming more resolute in pursuing its foreign policy agenda of a two-state solution," he told AAP. "Australia would not have done this on its own, but when Australia sees other allied countries taking this move, that allows Australia to feel comfortable in numbers." Israel's ambassador to Australia Amir Maimon said the sanctions were concerning and unacceptable. "These ministers are part of a government that operates under the principle of collective responsibility, making such measures unreasonable," he said in a statement. "The Israeli government will convene early next week to consider and determine our official response to these actions." Prof Akbarzadeh said the sanctions imposed by the Western allies would not alter how Israel would conduct itself in the conflict. "Israel has shown it does not take international opinion seriously, and this move is unlikely to deter the Israeli government in the way they're prosecuting the war in Gaza," he said. The latest eruption of war in Gaza was sparked by militant group Hamas killing about 1200 people and abducting 250 others in Israel on October 7, 2023. Israel's military response has since killed almost 55,000 mostly civilian Palestinians in Gaza, local health authorities say. Australia in July also sanctioned Israelis involved in attacking and killing Palestinians in the West Bank. Australia has listed Hamas as a terrorist entity since 2001, according to the federal government's national security website. The sanctioning of two Israeli ministers by Australia has been labelled a "slap on the wrist" by a prominent pro-Palestine advocate. The federal government has imposed sanctions on Israel's National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich in a co-ordinated move with Canada, New Zealand, Norway and the United Kingdom. The sanctions were applied for "extremist violence and serious abuses of Palestinian human rights", with the pair barred from travelling to Australia and any assets in the country being frozen. The measures prompted condemnation from the US, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio saying it would do little to achieve a ceasefire in the conflict. Australian Palestine Advocacy Network president Nasser Mashni welcomed the move but said it was too little, too late. "These sanctions are crumbs, tossed by the Australian government 613 days too late," he said. "This is a small step, but Australia must stop pretending that a slap on the wrist for two fascist ministers is justice." Mr Mashni said further sanctions, similar to measures imposed against Russian officials for the country's invasion of Ukraine, need to be applied. "Australians of good conscience demand real action. That means a full array of sanctions," he said. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has doubled down on the need for the sanctions, despite blowback from Israel and the US. Opposition Leader Sussan Ley says the government has overstepped its bounds. "It is unprecedented to, as a government, take actions, sanctions on members of a democratically elected government," she told Sky News on Thursday. "The US has explained that these actions are actually counterproductive to securing that ceasefire and that peace, and the government should be paying attention to that." Shadow attorney-general Julian Leeser, who is Jewish, says the style of sanctions imposed by the government was normally reserved for human rights abusers and terrorists. "The big question here is whether this is a new standard that will be applied to the public comments of officials from other countries," he told ABC Radio. "If this is the new standard, it will have serious implications for our international relations.". Middle East politics professor at Deakin University Shahram Akbarzadeh said the sanctions were a consequential step. "It is significant and it sends a signal that Australia is becoming more resolute in pursuing its foreign policy agenda of a two-state solution," he told AAP. "Australia would not have done this on its own, but when Australia sees other allied countries taking this move, that allows Australia to feel comfortable in numbers." Israel's ambassador to Australia Amir Maimon said the sanctions were concerning and unacceptable. "These ministers are part of a government that operates under the principle of collective responsibility, making such measures unreasonable," he said in a statement. "The Israeli government will convene early next week to consider and determine our official response to these actions." Prof Akbarzadeh said the sanctions imposed by the Western allies would not alter how Israel would conduct itself in the conflict. "Israel has shown it does not take international opinion seriously, and this move is unlikely to deter the Israeli government in the way they're prosecuting the war in Gaza," he said. The latest eruption of war in Gaza was sparked by militant group Hamas killing about 1200 people and abducting 250 others in Israel on October 7, 2023. Israel's military response has since killed almost 55,000 mostly civilian Palestinians in Gaza, local health authorities say. Australia in July also sanctioned Israelis involved in attacking and killing Palestinians in the West Bank. Australia has listed Hamas as a terrorist entity since 2001, according to the federal government's national security website. The sanctioning of two Israeli ministers by Australia has been labelled a "slap on the wrist" by a prominent pro-Palestine advocate. The federal government has imposed sanctions on Israel's National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich in a co-ordinated move with Canada, New Zealand, Norway and the United Kingdom. The sanctions were applied for "extremist violence and serious abuses of Palestinian human rights", with the pair barred from travelling to Australia and any assets in the country being frozen. The measures prompted condemnation from the US, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio saying it would do little to achieve a ceasefire in the conflict. Australian Palestine Advocacy Network president Nasser Mashni welcomed the move but said it was too little, too late. "These sanctions are crumbs, tossed by the Australian government 613 days too late," he said. "This is a small step, but Australia must stop pretending that a slap on the wrist for two fascist ministers is justice." Mr Mashni said further sanctions, similar to measures imposed against Russian officials for the country's invasion of Ukraine, need to be applied. "Australians of good conscience demand real action. That means a full array of sanctions," he said. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has doubled down on the need for the sanctions, despite blowback from Israel and the US. Opposition Leader Sussan Ley says the government has overstepped its bounds. "It is unprecedented to, as a government, take actions, sanctions on members of a democratically elected government," she told Sky News on Thursday. "The US has explained that these actions are actually counterproductive to securing that ceasefire and that peace, and the government should be paying attention to that." Shadow attorney-general Julian Leeser, who is Jewish, says the style of sanctions imposed by the government was normally reserved for human rights abusers and terrorists. "The big question here is whether this is a new standard that will be applied to the public comments of officials from other countries," he told ABC Radio. "If this is the new standard, it will have serious implications for our international relations.". Middle East politics professor at Deakin University Shahram Akbarzadeh said the sanctions were a consequential step. "It is significant and it sends a signal that Australia is becoming more resolute in pursuing its foreign policy agenda of a two-state solution," he told AAP. "Australia would not have done this on its own, but when Australia sees other allied countries taking this move, that allows Australia to feel comfortable in numbers." Israel's ambassador to Australia Amir Maimon said the sanctions were concerning and unacceptable. "These ministers are part of a government that operates under the principle of collective responsibility, making such measures unreasonable," he said in a statement. "The Israeli government will convene early next week to consider and determine our official response to these actions." Prof Akbarzadeh said the sanctions imposed by the Western allies would not alter how Israel would conduct itself in the conflict. "Israel has shown it does not take international opinion seriously, and this move is unlikely to deter the Israeli government in the way they're prosecuting the war in Gaza," he said. The latest eruption of war in Gaza was sparked by militant group Hamas killing about 1200 people and abducting 250 others in Israel on October 7, 2023. Israel's military response has since killed almost 55,000 mostly civilian Palestinians in Gaza, local health authorities say. Australia in July also sanctioned Israelis involved in attacking and killing Palestinians in the West Bank. Australia has listed Hamas as a terrorist entity since 2001, according to the federal government's national security website.
