2024-02-07
The Victorian Greens will today introduce a motion calling on the Victorian Labor Government to end its secretive relationship with the Israeli Ministry of Defence.
The Greens also want Labor to sever any ties with companies arming Israel’s Defence Force, which has killed 27,500 Palestinians in less than four months. In fact, during that time the UN estimates that 100,000 Palestinians have been killed, wounded or are missing.
In January, the ABC reported that the government had quietly signed a memorandum of understanding with Israel's defence ministry in 2022 to provide manufacturing capacity for Israel.
And prior to that, the government had begun a partnership with Elbit Systems, the largest Israeli military manufacturer, establishing the Human and Machine Teaming Centre for Excellence in Victoria.
Victorian Greens MP for Richmond, Gabrielle de Vietri, said that at a time when Israel was indiscriminately killing tens of thousands of Palestinians, the Victorian Labor Government could in no way justify maintaining relationships that supported the ongoing genocide.
She added that by supporting their motion, all parties could send a clear message that Victorians want an immediate and permanent ceasefire and an end to Israel’s invasion of Gaza.
As well as introducing their motion, the Greens will also ask the Premier about the government’s relationships with Israel during Question Time in the lower house today.
Quotes attributable to Victorian Greens MP for Richmond, Gabrielle de Vietri MP:
"The Premier should be joining the millions of people calling for a permanent ceasefire and lasting peace. This government has a duty to prevent the death and displacement of Palestinians.
“Instead they have entered an unconscionable agreement with the Israeli Defence Ministry and a partnership with Israel's largest weapons manufacturer.
“In less than four months Israel has killed 27,500 Palestinian people. They’ve destroyed hospitals, homes and schools. They’ve manufactured a famine and denied access to drinking water and medical supplies.
“Labor risks being complicit in Israel’s genocide by supplying weapons to a lawless defence force intent on destruction.”