Senate Slams Marrickville Council
The Senate has supported a motion proposed by Senator Mitch Fifield denouncing Marrickville Council’s boycott of Israel.
Senator Mitch Fifield
The motion acknowledged Israel as legitimate, democratic and a good friend of Australia.
It also denounced the Israel boycott by Marrickville Council and condemned any attempts to expand the boycott.
“I’m pleased that the Senate has passed this very important motion,” Senator Fifield said.
“We must send a message in the strongest possible terms to our friends in Israel that Marrickville Council’s extreme view is not supported by the majority of Australians.”
“It is important that Members of Parliament take a stand against this campaign to delegitimise Israel.”
Although the Senate did not formally divide on the issue, the Greens indicated their opposition to the motion.
“It is extremely disappointing that the Australian Greens have refused to denounce their counterparts in Marrickville Council,” Senator Fifield said.
“If the Greens want to be taken seriously as a mainstream political force they cannot turn a blind eye to the actions of their Marrickville Council colleagues.”
THE MOTION
Boycott of Israel
Senator Mitch Fifield
I give notice of motion that on the next day of sitting I shall move:
That the Senate:
- Notes the boycott of Israel instigated by Marrickville Council – the Global Boycott Divestments and Sanctions (GBDS) – banning any links with Israeli organisations or organisations that support Israel and prohibiting any academic, government, sporting or cultural exchanges with Israel.
- Notes letters from Marrickville Council to Members of Parliament asking them to support the GBDS.
- Notes reports of the intention of the Greens Marrickville Mayor Ms Fiona Byrne to seek to extend the boycott of Israel to the entire state of NSW.
- Acknowledges that Israel is a legitimate and democratic state and a good friend of
Australia.
- Denounces the Israel boycott by Marrickville Council and condemns any expansion of it.
