Storm brewing in NSW Parliament
The Australian Jewish Association has condemned a vicious attack on Israel by Labor Deputy Whip Anthony D’Adam in the NSW Parliament yesterday.
Scott Farlow
Anthony D’Adam made a statement accusing of Israel “deliberately assassinating” Al-Jazzera journalist Shireen Abu Akhla.
AJA Director of Public Affairs, Robert Gregory said, “Anthony D’Adam has form. Just weeks ago, he made headlines for his ridiculous and false claim that “Israel has made Jewish people more unsafe.”
The unfortunate death of Al-Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akhla in Jenin during a conflict between the IDF and terrorists has generated massive publicity.
The Palestinian Authority refused to cooperate in an investigation and although she was Christian, she was buried extremely quickly, a requirement of Islam.
AJA is calling on Federal Labor leader Anthony Albanese and NSW Labor leader Chris Minns to unequivocally condemn the hatred being spewed by Anthony D’Adam. With this extreme bias and attitude now exposed for all to see, we also ask is he a fit and proper person to be in parliament? Staying silent will tarnish the image of the Labor Party within the Jewish Community.”
We thank Scott Farlow MLC for his sharp rebuke and for stating the facts rather than fiction.”
J-Wire contacted Chris Minns’ office and was told that he cannot deal with the matter until tomorrow.
Liberal MLC Scott Farlow told parliament: “The death of Shireen Abu Akleh is devastating and tragic, as is any death of a civilian in a region filled with violence and turmoil. Laying blame solely on Israel before the results of an investigation are complete is highly irresponsible and a gross example of a member’s clear bias against the Jewish State.
But until we know exactly what happened, members should cease the finger‑pointing and blame games. Jumping to conclusions in the immediate aftermath of this tragedy is foolhardy and corresponds with a typical narrative of Israel being immediately blamed for any incident, especially when the facts have not been fully established. As stated by the Israeli defence Minister Benny Gantz, the Israeli government has made very clear its commitment to uncover the truth about the circumstances surrounding the death. The conducting by Israel, a democratic nation, of a proper investigation into the allegations surrounding this death should be welcomed by all members of the House.
In his statement to the House, Anthony D’Adam said: “On 11 May Israeli soldiers shot and killed prominent Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh while she was covering an Israel Defense Forces [IDF] raid in the West Bank town of Jenin.
Anthony D’Adam
Witnesses and verified videos taken at the scene have confirmed that at the time of her murder Abu Akleh was wearing a press vest and helmet.
She was with other colleagues in the press and there were no armed Palestinian fighters in her vicinity.
Despite clearly being a member of the press, an Israeli soldier shot Abu Akleh in the face. She was pronounced dead at St Joseph’s Hospital in Jerusalem shortly after the attack.
The world has been shocked by the video footage of Abu Akleh’s body leaving the hospital which showed Israeli police attacking the funeral procession and clubbing the defenceless pallbearers to the point where they almost dropped Abu Akleh’s coffin. Israeli forces seized Palestinian flags from mourners and later smashed the window of the hearse carrying Abu Akleh’s body.”
Scott Farlow responded to D’Adam’s comments on the funeral procession by saying: “Regarding the Israeli police action during the funeral procession, I point out that the plans for the procession were coordinated by the Israeli police and the Abu Akleh family in advance of the funeral. It has been said that approximately 300 rioters arrived at the hospital in Jerusalem and prevented the loading of the coffin onto the hearse and its journey to the cemetery, which also had been organised and extensively planned. Instead, the driver of the hearse was threatened by the mob, which proceeded to carry the coffin in an unplanned procession on foot to the cemetery, contrary to the arrangements prepared by the family, which should have been respected.
The depiction of events given in this House and specifically the use of the phrase “Israeli police attacking the funeral procession” is based on falsehoods. The instruction of the Israeli police was that the coffin be returned to the hearse—in coordination with the Ambassador of the European Union and the family—but the mob refused. It is wrong to say that the procession was attacked. The police acted to prevent the mob from taking the coffin. It is evident that it was a reasonable action to preserve the arrangements made by the family and to ensure the procession was conducted in a dignified manner. It is important for the facts to be established. I would hope that the House will take note of those facts when they are established.”
Farlow also asked the House: “Where was the condemnation of the slaughter by axe of three innocent Israelis who were celebrating Israel’s independence day in a public park on a main street of a small city? That should have been noted. On 8 May two Palestinians were arrested in connection with those sickening axe attacks. Regrettably, the hasty condemnation of brutal attacks against innocent civilians was selective. As members should be aware, recently there has been a wave of murderous attacks throughout Israel by Palestinians or Israeli Arabs. In the past month alone, 18 Israelis have been killed at the hands of terrorists.”
We thank Scott Farlow MLC for his sharp rebuke and for stating the facts rather than fiction.”
Wow. How did Scott Farlow get all these details from or was he reading from a fact sheet prepared by the Israeli government. So he thinks the IDF didn’t attack the coffin & the funeral procession when everything was in full view of the world. Israel is beyond condemnation, he reckons.
If ANY jew or Israel/jew friendly person needed anymore proof why NOT to vote labour, this should be it!