PUBLIC STATEMENT

The Australian National Imams Council (ANIC), the Alliance of Australian Muslims (AAM), and the Australian Muslim community welcome the Greens’ motion in the Senate to recognise the State of Palestine. We also strongly support Senator Fatima Payman’s support of the motion.

Senator Fatima Payman’s decision to cross the floor to support the motion is courageous and, importantly, consistent with supporting human rights and justice.

The Greens’ motion states, “In the opinion of the Senate, the following is a matter of urgency: the need for the Senate to recognise the State of Palestine.”

We express our deep disappointment and dismay at the Government and the Coalition’s refusal to support the motion to recognise the State of Palestine.

It is important to give agency and recognition to Palestinians even as the Israeli Defence Forces and so-called Israeli settlers persecute and murder them.

Since October 2023, more than 40,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have been murdered by the Israeli Defence Forces, and over 100,000 are injured. Each day, Israeli forces commit war crimes and genocidal acts against Palestinians.

We urge the Australian Government and all politicians to support what is a just and critical step in standing with the Palestinians as steps are taken by Israel to exterminate them and drive them out of their lands.

When presented with the opportunity to recognise the state of Palestine, the government and coalition’s failure to support the recognition has serious consequences for the further breakdown of social cohesion. People’s religious and justice-based identity is continually being suppressed when expressing their views and support for the recognition of the State of Palestine.

The Australian Government must take a clear stand against Israel and its aggressions and war crimes, condemn these horrific acts and immediately recognise the State of Palestine.