Thirty members of the NSW parliament attended Yom Ha’azmaut Sydney celebration
Last week, member after member in the NSW parliament expressed their support for Israel following a motion moved by MP Natalie Ward…but there were dissenters.
Darren Bark, CEO NSWJBD, Jillian Segal, president ECAJ, Rebecca Lacey-Ehrlich, vice-president of ZCNSW, Mark Speakman, Leader of the Opposition, Premier Chris Minns, Ambassador Amir Maiman, David Ossip, president NSWJBD at the May 3rd event. Photo: Giselle Haber
Natalie Ward’s motion included “the 75 years of statehood partnership was celebrated, as well as acknowledging the friendship of Australia and Israel and our fundamental belief in freedom, justice and peace; and that Israel is a nation born out of the Holocaust, has grown and survived against the odds and is now a nation of free, ambitious and prosperous people.
She told parliament that the event at the beginning of this month had been hosted by The NSW Jewish Board of Deputies CEO Darren Bark and President David Ossip, the Zionist Federation of Australia, the Zionist Council of NSW, and the Executive Council of Australian Jewry.
Thirty members of the parliament had attended the cocktail party at the Four Season, including Premier Chris Minns and the Leader of the Opposition Mark Speakman.
Liberal Chris Rath said: “I remind those who oppose the State of Israel that it was not created as a product of imperial sentiment or violent colonialism but instead one of necessity following the abomination of the Holocaust. For centuries, the Jewish people were ostracised, despised and subject to the most abhorrent forms of ethnic cleansing known on the historical record. They had no physical homeland, nor any security of life or liberty. As the motion acknowledges, Israel has survived against the odds and is now a nation of free people. I emphasise that freedom.
No State in the Middle East has done more for LGBTI rights, for racial and women’s equality and for other human rights than Israel. Undoubtedly, that truth disturbs those who would oppose the motion. They often choose to portray the Israeli State as a symbol of oppression.”
But Greens MP Abigail Boyd told the house that the Greens would not support the celebration. She said: “The UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory has documented the demolition of homes and destruction of property, the excessive use of force by security forces, mass incarceration, settler violence, restrictions of movement and limitations on access to livelihoods, basic necessities, services and humanitarian assistance. In October last year the commission of inquiry found that the continued occupation of Gaza and the West Bank is illegal, and the coercive environment created by Israel’s occupation means that Palestinians, and in particular Palestinian women and children, are having their human rights curtailed. Further, it found that policies and actions taken by Israel may constitute international crimes including war crimes. Paragraph (1) (d) of the motion is factually incorrect. The Greens cannot support the celebration of the creation of an apartheid state.”
Following her statement, Scott Farlow said: “I stand in solidarity with the Israeli people to celebrate its seventy-fifth independence day. No nation on this planet has had its right to exist questioned as much as Israel. Throughout its 75 years, Israel’s survival has been questioned repeatedly. In his contribution to debate the Hon. Robert Borsak said he hoped to be here for its 100th anniversary and celebration. If we look at ancient Judea and Samaria we find that the Jewish people have had a connection to that land for thousands of years, and yet they are still under threat every day.
I attended the celebration of the seventy-fifth independence day as a civilian, during my brief period of unemployment. As a former chair of the Parliamentary Friends of Israel, I congratulate the Hon. Natalie Ward on her return to the position of co-chair, alongside Ms Marjorie O’Neill in the other place, and the Hon. Robert Borsak on his role as treasurer. Israel is a wonderful country and, as His Excellency Amir Maimon pointed out to the assembled crowd at the anniversary, we must talk about the celebration that is Israel. We must talk about the nation, which is a beacon in the Middle East. It is a multicultural, multiracial nation. As the Hon. Chris Rath pointed out, it is the most liberal nation in the Middle East. It is a democratic nation.
Stephen Lawrence commented: “On balance, I do support the motion moved by the Hon. Natalie Ward and will certainly be voting for it. But I think it is appropriate to note that the seventy‑fifth anniversary of the State of Israel also marks the catastrophe that befell the Palestinian people. It would be quite wrong, I think, not to note that in speaking on this motion. You cannot in any way untwine these two issues. Some of the things that have been said tonight by members seek to deliberately ignore that history, and I do think that is quite wrong.”
Natalie Ward commended the NSWJBD saying: “I particularly acknowledge the chief executive officer of the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies, Mr Darren Bark, who is well known to many members in this place, as well as the president, Mr David Ossip, for putting on the event and for the important work that they do in building harmony and fostering closer relations between all faith groups in New South Wales.”
