‘Empty posturing’
The AJDS said they represent the views held by a significant and growing number of Australian Jews "who are appalled" by the policies of the Israeli government.
The left-leaning Australian Jewish Democratic Society (AJDS) has called for Australia to impose limited economic sanctions on Israel.
Committee members Dr Larry Stillman (pictured) and Dr Helen Rosenbaum have written to Foreign Minister Penny Wong saying there is outrage in the Australian community about Israel’s actions.
“Countless numbers of Gazans are facing or dying from famine, while Israel continues to make extreme statements and settler violence against Palestinians continues. While the Australian government has spoken out, words are not enough. Israel is not paying attention,” the letter said.
The AJDS has told Wong they want the Australian government to ban the importation of Israeli goods and services from the “occupied territories” and to cancel the contract for the purchase of $900 million of Elbit systems for Hanwha Defence Australia.
The letter said, “These actions would send a clear message to the Israeli government while not threatening its security.”
The AJDS said they represent the views held by a significant and growing number of Australian Jews “who are appalled” by the policies of the Israeli government.
They also said the peak Jewish bodies such as the Executive Council of Australian Jewry do not speak for them.
When The AJN asked Stillman how many members the AJDS has, he said he wasn’t sure, but it is growing.
“And this letter has engendered positive feedback. All Labor MPs know about it as well,” he said.
Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-CEO Peter Wertheim said the call by AJDS for a selective boycott of Israel is “an exercise in empty posturing”.
“It has no chance of being heeded by the Australian government. Such a boycott would be more damaging to Australia’s interests than Israel’s,” he said.
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