Questions for Cr Peters – but no answers yet
Marrickville’s Councillor Cathy Peters has successfully introduced a boycott of Israeli goods and a ban on academic and cultural exchanges. J-Wire asked her some questions…but as yet no answer.
We asked:
“Will those supporting the boycott, including yourself, go all the way and desist from using mobile phones, texting, computers with Intel aboard, drinking Australian wine produced using Israeli drip irrigation technology, Christmas shopping [most checkouts in stores and petrol stations use Israeli technology…plus a host of other innovations many in the medical field?
The motion appears below….
Report No: Subject:
C1210 Item 11
Councillor Cathy Peters
NOTICE OF MOTION: SUPPORTING THE GLOBAL BOYCOTT, DIVESTMENT AND SANCTIONS CAMPAIGN
File Ref: From Councillor Cathy Peters
MOTION: THAT:
1. Marrickville Council support the principles of the BDS global campaign and report back on any links the council has with organisations or companies that support or profit from the Israeli military occupation of Palestine with a view to the Council divesting from such links and imposing a boycott on any future such links or goods purchases.
2. Marrickville Council boycott all goods made in Israel and any sporting, academic, government or cultural exchanges.
3. Marrickville Council write to the local state and federal ministers (Carmel Tebbutt and Anthony Albanese) informing them of Council’s position and seeking their support at the State and Federal level for the global BDS movement.
Background
Since the Unified Palestinian call for BDS launched in July 2005, BDS initiatives have been multiplying all over the world and BDS movement has wide and growing international support. The BDS movement began as a way for organisations and individual globally to support the Palestinian people in their struggle for human rights and equality and the return of the occupied lands.
This campaign focuses on Israeli goods, trading and military arrangements, and sporting, cultural and academic events as well as international companies that provide services for the Israeli government in their continued occupation and colonisation of Palestinian territory, the siege of Gaza and imprisonment of 1.5 million people, and the enforcement of a system of apartheid.
Actions that Australians can consider include
1. halting any military cooperation or trade with Israel;
2. refraining from participation in any form of sporting events, academic and cultural cooperation, collaboration or joint projects with Israeli institutions or teams;
3. advocating a comprehensive boycott of Israeli institutions at national and international levels, including suspension of all forms of funding and subsidies to these institutions;
4. Divestment from companies that provide goods and services to the Israeli state that assist the continued occupation and colonisation of Palestinian territorites
5. Economic, diplomatic and cultural sanctions against the Israeli government . 6. Boycotts of Israeli goods.
4056-03/78736.10
67
Item 11Council Meeting 14 December 2010
1. The following Australian peak union bodies and unions have support the BDS campaign: • Victorian Trades Hall Council; • The South Coast Labour Council (SCLC); • Australian Services Union, NSW and ACT branches;
• Council of the Queensland Teachers’ Union; • Liquor, Hospitality & Miscellaneous Workers Union, Queensland branch; • Construction Forestry Mining Energy Union, NSW Branch; • Maritime Workers of Australia, WA Branch.
International union organisations supporting the BDS campaign include • the British Trade Union Congress;
2.
• Irish Trade Union Congress; • British University & College Union; • Canadian Union of Public Employees; • Canadian Union of Postal Workers; • as well as unions in Brazil, Norway, and France.
a. the boycott of South Africa contributed to the ending of that country’s apartheid regime. Archbishop Desmond Tutu has been outspoken in his support for the BDS movement: “The end of apartheid stands as one of the crowning accomplishments of the past century, but we would not have succeeded without the help of international pressure – in particular the divestment movement of the 1980s. Over the past six months, a similar movement has taken shape, this time aiming at an end to the Israeli occupation”;
b. the National Council of Churches in Australia on 20 July 2010 issued a statement that the NCCA would “continue to add its voice to the call for an end to Israel’s occupation of Palestine and condemning all acts of terrorism” and that, “In solidarity with Palestinian Christians, the NCCA asks its member Churches and the wider Australian community to consider a boycott of goods produced by Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.”
3. The most recent UN General Assembly resolution of 6 October 2010 on the human rights situation in the Palestinian Territories can be found at http://domino.un.org/UNISPAL.NSF/98edce37e189625b85256c40005da81b/e0f07b785ecd99 84852577b900617f4e?
4. A question on notice from The Greens to the Minister of Defence revealed that Australia sold $48 million worth of military body armour to Israel in the 2008-09 financial year.
NSW Jewish Board of Deputies CEO Vic Alhadeff said: “It would be far more positive if Marrickville Council participated in peace projects and assisted in building a future state of Palestine. If the council genuinely cares about the Palestinian cause, boycotts are the worst option. Over 50,000 Palestinians currently work in Israel, which means it is Palestinian workers who will pay the heaviest price if their employers are boycotted.”
peters’ selective outrage over Israeli “occupation” would be laughable if it weren’t serious. Marrickville occupies Aboriginal land. Muslims murder innocents on a daily basis in response to cartoons and the burning of a lifeless book, written by men and as unholy as it comes. thuggish arab rulers crush any dissent in their path to perpetual power and money. yet peters is focused on what’s easy and popular – to savage a minority, the loneliest country on earth.
#Phil Jones
You state:
“Good people of this world can not just turn a blind eye.”
Are you similarly calling for boycotts divestment and sanctions against
1, China – for its invasion and occupation of Tibet
2. The Phillipines – for its brutality against the Islamist separatist movement in the Southern Phjllpines
3. Spain – for denying the Basques the right to self-determination
4. Sri Lanka – for the slaughter of tens of thousands of Tamils seeking their own state
5. The Palestinian Authority – for failing to prevent the exodus of thousands of Christians from Bethlehem and Bet Sahur in the face of a Moslem takeover of these once majority Christian areas
6 Gaza – for allowing its territory to be used to fire thousands of rockets into Israeli population centres
7 Turkey – for brutally suppressing the Kurds demand for self determination
Marrickville Council is to be commended for its human rights stand and supporting the BDS campaign. There are many Jews who are outspoken opponents of the continued oppression of the Palestinians. It is this continued oppression that incites terrorism, Osama bin Laden’s horrific actions being the most outstanding example.
If the Israeli Government had any real intension of a just peace settlement why does it:
* continue to build “settlements” in the West Bank
* continue to build a wall that mercilessly separates families and farmers from their livelihood
* prevent West Bank Palestinians from installing tanks to collect desperately needed fresh water
* grossly discriminate in the distribution of fresh water between Palestinians and “settlers”
* bulldoze centuries old olive trees, a source of livelihood for struggling farmers
* fail to deal justly with those who commit crimes against Palestinians
* have roadblocks and check points that are primarily designed simply to disrupt the lives of Palestinians, (not seriously security measures as they are relatively easily circumvented by foot).
* deliberately delay allowing dieing patients access to medical facilities
* imprison and torture Palestinians without trial
* demolish the homes of innocent people.
* collectively punish the residents of Gaza, when all ethically minded people know that collective punishment is morally wrong and internationally illegal,
….and we all know, the list can go on and on and on.
It is not anti-Semites or “self-hating” Jews who oppose what is going on in this part of the world, but those who are proud to be Jews, Jews who are ashamed of the immoral depths to which pro Zionist Jews have sunk and the shame they have brought upon their own kind.
The Zionist of Israel give every impression of being unable to listen or hear reason. The world community now needs to unite and apply firm, non-violent pressure through the BDS initiative. The UN is not strong enough and Zionist (as distinct from Jews), control US foreign policy towards Israel. Israel and Palestine can not have peace without justice. We need to support both communities.
It will be encouraging to see more Jews supporting the BDS campaign.
(For the record – I am not Jewish, however, when I was a school student and learnt for the first time what happened to the Jews during the Holocaust, I was stung by the inhumanity not only of the Germans who carried out such dreadful atrocities, but of those who turned a blind eye. I told myself that if I were alive and knew what was happening I would have done something – I don’t know what. A growing number of us know what the Israelis Government Agencies are doing to the Palestinians day after day, despite the poor media coverage of the conflict).
Good people of this world can not just turn a blind eye.
One question for Ms. Peters and friends is whether, when they campaigned for office, they informed their constituents in Marrickville that they intended to implement political policies such as this once in office.
The response is relevant in my opinion to the question of whether any Greens Party candidate seeking election should be trusted with respect to matters of this nature.
As Marrickville Council has twinned with Bethlehem perhaps JWire could approach Councillor Peters to confirm the accuracy or otherwise of the following report:
“We are far too accustomed to thinking that the Middle East is populated only by Muslims and a few Jews. There are Christians living there, too, often beleaguered and under attack. Here are three stories that remind us during this Christmas season that life for Christians in the Holy Land during this Holy Season can be particularly perilous. First, we learn that the cross, the very symbol of Christianity, has basically been abolished from Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus.
“This Christmas in Bethlehem, the cross has been banned from souvenirs for tourists and pilgrims in the Holy Land. Some textile workshops in Jerusalem and Hebron have begun to print and sell T-shirts depicting the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem without the cross. Because of the growth of Islamic fundamentalism in the Palestinian territories, the cross was also removed from t-shirts of football teams. Interviewed by AsiaNews, Samir Qumsieh, journalist and director of the Catholic television station Al-Mahed Nativity TV in Bethlehem, said: “I want to launch a campaign to urge people not to buy these products – he says – because the removal of the cross is an intimidation against Christians, it is like saying that Jesus was never crucified. ”
http://bigpeace.com/pschweizer/2010/12/24/christians-in-the-middle-east-seeking-the-prince-of-peace/
“Don’t buy from Jews!” I think I’ve seen this before. Images from German suburbs in 1938 come to mind, just before the Holocaust began. What’s next? A resolution by the council for all people in Hamasville using products “Made in Israel” to wear a yellow badge saying “Jewish Scab”? Can we assume the council officers will soon be patrolling the streets and shops for anything ‘Made in Israel’, perhaps letting off a bit steam by smashing a few shop windows of known Jews? Hamasville, NSW must be one proud place!
All fair-minded people please consider signing the petition to reprimand terrorist-sympathisers: http://www.gopetition.com/petition/41650.html
Why is cathy using a computer and mobile phone, or in fact any technology? Most of it has been influenced, developed and improved by israeli geeks!
She is not even living up to the boycott motion she herself has proposed – what a damned hypocrite!
What a suprise!
Cr Peters and the Marrickville Council should be condemned nationally and found guilty of blatant anti Semitism. I am deeply offended, appalled, horrified and most upset that a local Sydney Council can be this foolish and racist in 2011. I suggest to the rest of Australia- lets all boycott Marrickville and its surrounds and show them how ridiculous a boycott really is, lucky for Marrickville Council they live in a peaceful country and will never know the strains of suicide bombers and daily terrorists firing rockets into the Council chambers, Unlike poor Israel that must defend itself and its people daily whilst trying to maintain normal life. What country on Earth would or has or does put up with this?
My response to jwire’s questions was sent to the newsdesk on the 21st Dec, the same day I received the email containing questions about boycotting certain goods made in Israel. As you can read below this motion calls for a report into any links the Council may have with organisations or companies that support or profit from the Israeli military occupation of Palestine with a view to the council divesting from such links and imposing a boycott on any future such links or goods purchases.
Until Councillors receive this report, I am unable to comment on what goods in particular will be boycotted but when we are in receipt of this information, I will respond in more detail to your specific questions.
Below is the detail of the motion which was passed by 10 Councillors at Marrickville on Tuesday Dec 14th – 5 Greens / 4 Alp / 1 Independent.
What you have printed above is not the motion that was passed.
That:
In particular recognition of its sister city relationship with Bethlehem and the strong support for this relationship from local progressive faith communities and other community members, Marrickville Council support the principles of the BDS global campaign and reports back on any links the Council has with organisations or companies that support or profit from the Israeli military occupation of Palestine with a view to the Council divesting from such links and imposing a boycott on any future such links or goods purchases.
Marrickville Council boycott all goods made in Israel and any sporting, institutional academic, government or institutional cultural exchanges.
Marrickville Council write to the local State and Federal ministers (Carmel Tebbutt and Anthony Albanese) informing them of Council’s position and seeking their support at the State and Federal level for the global BDS movement.
What’s your point Simon?
Israel has actually done nothing but stop suicide bombers entering their country.
I have done a good deal of research into this today, I find that the only people occupying Gaza is the organistion known as Hamas
Marrickville Council is the laughing stock of Sydney and their actions are being laughed at overseas too.
I am looking into their action as they could well be classed as antisemitic, as according to the working definition of antisemitism……..
“”Critics who habitually single out Israel for condemnation, while ignoring far worse actions by other countries (especially other Middle Eastern countries) are anti-Semitic.””
Not to the morons, nor to those of such breath-taking bad faith as the Marrickville Council (seemingly the majority) who all seem to be nostalgic for a repeat of Hitler’s holocaust and Goebbel’s methods to achieve it, but to the open-minded and intelligent people I recommend to read the recent article by Melanie Phillips:
http://www.melaniephillips.com/articles-new/?p=786
Here are a few extracts:
“…Israel’s perceived ‘oppression’ of the Palestinians, its ‘disproportionate’ attacks on them and its supposed violations of international law are actually the very opposite of the truth. This is behaviour of which it is the victim, not the perpetrator.
The treatment of Israel is a spectacular example of the phenomenon of ‘psychological projection’ – when people ascribe their own bad behaviour to others who are innocent of it and are even its victims — through which the west is mirroring the murderously warped thinking of the Islamic world….”
…[snip]…
“…We should be asking so-called ‘progressives’ – including Jewish ‘progressives’ — why they support the racist ethnic cleansing of every Jew from a future state of Palestine.
We should be asking ‘progressives’ why they are not marching against Hamas on account of its tyrannical oppression of Palestinians in Gaza.
Why they are not mounting a boycott, divestment and sanctions campaign against Mahmoud Abbas’s Palestinian Authority on account of his Holocaust denial and the PA’s continued incitement of Arab children to Jew-hatred, murder and genocide.
Why they are ignoring Arab and Muslim persecution of women and homosexuals.
I also highly recommend here book “The World Turned Upside Down”, an unputtownable eye opener.
Team at J Wire, this first part is for you and NFP
As I have an unusual first name I would appreciate you only using my surname – thanks
Good for you Marrickville Council & especially Cr Peters. Wonder what would happen if no Jew spent even $1. in any shop in that Council’s area? For maybe mmmm 1 week? How long would it take for the residents to be up in arms? But why? They would simply be experiencing a boycott? Obviously a good thing for resolving situation. Don:t believe me? Ask Cr Peters. She is well equipped to give a good strong reasonable response.
For the J-Wire team: Great response. I read a saying recently that went something like this:
There is no point In arguing with a fool.
I’m a Marrickville resident and I support the boycott an divestment campaign. Bravo Marrickville Council.
The arguments in this article and the comments seem to boil down to “boycotts are hard and Israel makes stuff you might need”. Not much of an argument really.
Some of the Councillors at Marrickville, are less than polite. I wrote to ALL of them.
The two that voted against the proposal, are very concerned about the direction of members of Council. One gave me his phone number and asked if I could help.
One I have had run-ins with all day
I pointed out that Marrickville was heading back to the stone age by boycotting Israel, as so many things in our everyday lives are made there, or developed there.
He as good as called me a liar.
I had suggested that he doesn’t use tap water, even for bathing, because the membrane in the Sydney de-salination plant, is made in Israel, as they are in all, bar one, in OZ. I further told him that I knew this, as my brother, who is a Chemical Engineer, was one of the Project Managers. Also that he had been sent by his company to Dubai, to study their Israeli designed de-salination plants
He said… Quote….’ the water I drink is from warragamba, if the membranes are manufactured in Israel (and I strongly suggest to you that they are not)’
There’s an old saying; don’t raise your voice improve your arguement.
You have done this very well.
You forgot to tell them not to use Foxtel as the system runs on Israeli hardware and sofware.
This resolution just shows the standard of councils.
I would suggest that the Marrickville councilors especially those with hate filled hearts towards Jews, relocate their lives to Damascus or Tehran where they will undoubtedly feel at home amongst similar thinking people.
Good onya Marcus.
And when a close member of your immediate family (god forbid) requires life saving medical attention using technology and equipment developed and manufactured in Israel, I guess you’ll beg them to die first rather than break the boycott.
Proud of you, pal! You’re one heck of a tough guy.
I’m a Tempe resident and I think the council’s support for the BDS campaign is wonderful.
It makes me so proud to be a part of this community. Thank you Cr Peters ( and I think it may have been passed unanimously – perhaps someone could verify that?)
Marrickville Council is out of its mind, it has no mandate to take such action. I have been in Newtown for 27 years and in my opinion this is the most stupid thing that the Council has done, apart from setting up Bethlehem as Marrickville’s “sister city”. I will never support this action against Israel. Marrickville Council has basically declared war on any person or business that deals with Israel, including all members of the Marrickville community. This is a good example of how the Greens are incapable of handling any issue of importance.
I for one will deal with, sell to or buy from any person or country I wish, so if the Council wants to try to destroy local people’s lives, they can go ahead and try it and see how long the Greens and Labour stay in Council before the local community says enough is enough.
Local councils should stick to local issues, that’s what we pay our rates for.
Why is this contemptible anti-semite not indicted by the anti-discrimination board?
The Greens (she acts in their name obviously) are soon turning out to have members of which Goebbels would have been proud.
But dont think they will stop at the vilification of the Jewish people:
Not so long ago, another one of their profile representatives, Lee Rhiannon, was standing, shoulder to shoulder with the Sheik Halali of Lakemba, spewing anti-semitic incitement to hate from the steps of Sydney Town Hall. In so doing, and in so doing on behalf of “The Greens”, she officially declared that the Greens:
– Explicitely agree with the Sheik and his ilk, that the pack rape of Australian girls by Muslim gangs, was the girls’ fault, since, “dressing as they did, they were like meat to a cat”.
That Marrickville “counsellor” Catty Peters, publicly sponsors Terrorist Organisations like HAMAS etc. and Massmurderers like Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and is thusly inciting hatred of and calling for the genocide of the Jewish People.
Catty Peters furthermore is calling for the starving MY AUSTRALIA of any import of Culture, Science, Art, Literature to mention but a few of the contributions that the Jewish People made and make to the world, while fostering the import of Jihad and Terrorism.
I will buy at least ONE item “made in Israel”, and I read at least ONE Jewish author, and I listen to at least ONE piece of music composed and/or played by Jews EVERY DAY !!! And I invite every other half-way decent being to do the same!
I call for any medical help, surgical instrument, scientific contribution by Jews to be denied to that “Catty Peters” and the rest of the contemptible anti-semites in the Marrickville council.