Federal government cops legal threat for Israel support
A solicitor has written to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, warning him his government’s support of Israel could make them complicit in genocide.
A law firm representing Palestinian Australians is threatening the federal government with legal action for positions taken over the Middle East conflict.
BG Legal Consultants solicitor Moustafa Kheir has penned a letter to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, suggesting Israel has committed war crimes in its offensive on Gaza in response to the Hamas attacks.
Mr Kheir’s letter accuses government members of “aiding, abetting and otherwise assisting” Israel’s alleged crimes, and says they could be criminally responsible for the crime of genocide themselves for supporting Israel.
“We write to put you on notice that your government appears to have contravened domestic and international law and to request specific action by you and your government to avoid prosecution for these contraventions,” the letter reads.
Mr Kheir says Australia might be complicit in genocide for “covering up” Israel’s alleged genocide and public declarations to do so, and by previously selling weapons to the country.
He also suggests letting dual Australian-Israeli nationals to travel overseas to participate in the conflict may amount to a breach of law.
“The Australian government should be aware that international criminal tribunals have previously examined the responsibility of those who have substantially contributed to a crime by providing encouragement and moral support to the perpetrators,” the letter reads.
“(Australian comments) plainly amount to the Australian government providing encouragement and moral support to Israel.”
The solicitor is demanding Australia echoes the UN secretary general’s call for an immediate ceasefire and says the prime minister must immediately condemn Israel’s actions and encourage ministers to rescind their support.
On Wednesday, Israel’s ambassador to Australia, Amir Maimon, was asked about foreign nationals still trapped in Gaza and if a humanitarian corridor should be opened before an invasion.
Almost 80 Australians remained trapped there on Wednesday, although Foreign Minister Penny Wong says another eight have been removed from the West Bank.
“I’m engaged in … very close discussions with senior Australian officials, and Israel will do its utmost in order to make sure that all the foreign nationals would be safe and would be able to evacuate Gaza if they would wish to do so,” Mr Maimon told the National Press Club.
“And as part of our international obligation, we allow the passage of humanitarian assistance.”
By: Alex Mitchell/AAP
Goodness, Mr. Moustafa Kheir, not only are your an Australian solicitor, you are also a war crimes expert who can make judgements of culpability in the blink of an eye, where it take The Hague many months of consideration to do so.
What will the Australian Palestinians get up to next in their determination to support the aggressors of this terrible war? I mean, of course, Hamas and any Palestinian civilians who align themselves with Hamas by celebrating in the streets at their atrocities against the Israeli people and their intentions toward the extinction of Israel and the murder of Jews everywhere.
Thank you for your advice, but I think we’ll be okay.