ACT Greens call for divestment from the occupation of Palestine

2024-02-06

Andrew Braddock MLA, ACT Greens spokesperson for anti-racism, is calling on the ACT Government to divest from companies that the UN has recognised as complicit in Israel’s occupation of the Palestinian Territories.

“What we are seeing in Gaza is not only the loss of tens of thousands of lives, but more broadly a tipping point after generations of displacement, dispossession and apartheid treatment of the Palestinian people by the State of Israel”, said Mr Braddock.

“Indeed, the International Court of Justice has now recognised that this could be reasonably characterised as genocidal.

The ACT Greens are also asking the Legislative Assembly to join calls for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza, and a lasting peace in the middle east.  This must include lifting the blockade of Gaza and ending Israel’s illegal occupation of the Palestinian Territories.

“The ACT cannot be complicit in the State of Israel’s violations of international law.  I am calling on Andrew Barr to implement his own responsible investment policy and divest from companies which resource these illegal settlements and exploit Palestinian resources.

The Greens also continue to stand with Canberra’s marginalised communities, particularly Jews, Palestinians and other Arab and Muslim communities who have been the victims of slurs and hate-speech during this deeply challenging time.

“Neither Hamas nor the State of Israel represent these communities.  We unequivocally condemn Islamophobia, antisemitism and all other forms of racism. They have no place in the ACT.”