Victorian Taxes given to APAN
APAN is behind the pro-Palestine demonstrations across Australia and its President, Nasser Mashni has criminal convictions for kidnap, violence and threatening behaviour.
The Victorian State government is giving $25,000 to the Australian Palestine Action Network (APAN).
The grant is to celebrate Palestine National Day and is part of the Multicultural Festivals and Events Program which is designed to support activities that “promote and foster social cohesion”.
APAN is behind the pro-Palestine demonstrations across Australia and its President, Nasser Mashni has criminal convictions for kidnap, violence and threatening behaviour.
Yossi Goldfarb, President of Zionism Victoria said, “That an organisation which demonises the national identity of a fellow minority and which has played a pivotal role in undermining the social cohesion of our state, should receive a grant from the Multicultural Affairs branch of the Department of Premier can only be met with two words, ‘total incredulity’.”
He said the guidelines for this particular grant stipulate that funding will not be given to ‘events that promote or are held for political purposes’ or ‘events that exclude or offend other parts of the community’.
“One wonders whether APAN and its president Nasser Mashni will be able to abide by these conditions. And one wonders whether our government will enforce them, given both the Islamic Council of Victoria and a member of the Victorian Multicultural Commission are able to peddle offensive and inflammatory invective with no apparent repercussions” Goldfarb said.
A Victorian government spokesman said all organisations funded through the Multicultural Festivals and Events program must uphold the values of respect and inclusivity.
“If an organisation fails to meet these requirements the department can terminate their funding contract immediately and suspend payment of all or part of the funding” the spokesperson says.
The spokesperson said the program does not support events that exclude other Victorian communities or events that promote or are held for political purposes.
Several Jewish organisations have also received funding from the program, including Sukkot in Luna Park and Chanukah at the Racecourse.
David Southwick, Liberal MP for Caulfield has criticised the grant, saying APAN shamelessly exploits the conflict in the Middle East to spread anger and division and targets our community.
“APAN President Nasser Mashni has made it clear that he hates Australia, so why should his organisation receive our taxpayers’ money?”
And James Newbury, Liberal MP for Brighton said Jacinta Allan’s mask is slipping.
“People can see her Labor Government is directing funds to activists … who are openly calling for the wiping out of Israel. Jacinta Allan must personally intervene and over-rule the decision to provide funding or stand condemned” he said.
APAN was contacted for comment, but they did not respond by our deadline.
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