A troubling precedent

Labor’s Israel sanctions are a double standard

In a submission to a Senate Inquiry, the Australian Jewish Association (AJA) condemned these sanctions as discriminatory, warning, they set a dangerous precedent.

Australia's ambassador to the UN, James Larsen, speaking to the general assembly after the vote.
Australia's ambassador to the UN, James Larsen, speaking to the general assembly after the vote.

The Albanese government has taken so many anti-Israel actions recently that one alarming move largely slipped under the radar. Last July, it sanctioned seven Israeli citizens under Australia’s autonomous sanctions regime, intended for the most egregious human rights abuses. Labor cited alleged violent actions in Judea and Samaria (West Bank), allegations that several of the seven deny.

In a submission to a Senate Inquiry, the Australian Jewish Association (AJA) condemned these sanctions as discriminatory, warning, they set a dangerous precedent.

This marks the first time Australia has sanctioned Israeli citizens and the first time it has specifically targeted citizens of a democratic ally. The government hasn’t provided detailed allegations or evidence, nor has it explained why it deems Israel’s robust legal system to be inadequate.

Israel’s legal system has convicted and imprisoned high-ranking officials, including a former prime minister and president, and often rules against the government.

There are indeed rare instances of violence carried out by Jews against Arabs, although the reverse is far more common. Crimes against Arabs are condemned across the political spectrum in Israel and promptly investigated by authorities.

Such incidents, already infrequent, have declined sharply in recent times. Nobody is defending any illegal acts but there is no precedent for Australia’s sanctions regime to be applied in this way.

The seven Israelis facing Australian sanctions are not warlords, oligarchs or militia leaders. Unlike anyone who has previously faced such sanctions from Australia, they are mostly shepherds and small farmers. They are unlikely to travel to and have no known connection to Australia.

The sanctioned individuals are unlikely to be affected. However, Australian Jews feel the impact when the government holds Jews and the Jewish State to a double standard.

The alleged acts of the seven sanctioned Israelis pale in comparison to the thousands of terrorist and violent acts committed by Palestinian Arabs since October 7 in the same area. Many of these acts have been carried out by members of groups which are proscribed terrorist organisations in Australia such as Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad. The government has not sanctioned any of the Arab perpetrators. The double standard is glaring.

Even more troubling is the Palestinian Authority’s (PA) role. Numerous employees of the PA and affiliates like Fatah and Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades have engaged in terrorism. A recent example was a double car-bombing on September 1, 2024. The Palestinian Authority rewards terrorists through its “Pay-for-Slay” program, where payments increase with the number of Jews killed. Instead of sanctions, the Albanese government provides taxpayer-funded scholarships to PA employees to study in Australia.

The double standard in how Labor applies sanctions is remarkable. A clear demonstration is Lebanon, where Hezbollah, proscribed as a terrorist organisation by Australia, has tens of thousands of members and plays a major role in the country. Shockingly, Labor has sanctioned more people in democratic Israel than Lebanon.

Labor must explain why it overlooks egregious human rights abuses in many countries and instead focuses disproportionately on the only Jewish state.

The Albanese government has presided over the worst surge in antisemitism in Australia’s history. Instead of lecturing Israel, Labor should focus on halting the attacks and vandalism targeted at Jews in Australia.

This interference in the internal legal affairs of a democracy sets a troubling precedent. Other nations could use this logic to sanction Australian citizens, such as Australian Diggers who served in Afghanistan.

Images of the antisemitic riot at the Sydney Opera House were broadcast around the world yet the NSW Police did not charge those responsible. Under Labor’s logic, another nation could impose sanctions on those who took part.

Jewish organisations have been very muted in their response. To give them the benefit of the doubt, there are so many anti-Israel moves from Labor, perhaps they are picking their battles.

This is a mistake.

Failure to challenge discriminatory standards applied to Israel inevitably leads to further hostile moves. AJA anticipates another round of sanctions against Israelis is in the works. More senior Israelis could be targeted.

On his first day in office, President Trump rescinded Biden’s discriminatory sanctions against Israeli Jews. Labor’s Israel sanctions will become an even more conspicuous embarrassment and may harm our US ties.

Australia’s sanctions regime should focus on genuine and serious human rights abusers like terrorist leaders and rogue dictators, not citizens of democratic allies like Israel.

Misusing sanctions for political gain, such as winning a few votes in Western Sydney, damages Australia’s credibility.

Robert Gregory is the CEO of the Australian Jewish Association (AJA).

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