2016-03-02
The government has today refused a formal Senate vote on the war record of former Chief of Staff of the Israeli Defence Force, the Australian Greens said today.
"The Minister for Immigration has set a precedent for intervening in specific cases in recent times, but this one apparently can't even be discussed," Australian Greens Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Senator Scott Ludlam said today.
"Benjamin Gantz, the former Chief of Staff of the Israel Defence Force, is currently in Australia as a keynote speaker. In carrying out the orders of the Netanyahu Government, military units engaged in 'Operation Protective Edge' in Gaza killed more than 2000 Palestinians, the vast majority of them civilians, according to the United Nations.
"Both the UN Independent Commission of Inquiry, and Amnesty International have released reports pointing to the possible commission of war crimes by both Israeli and Palestinian armed groups,” Senator Ludlam said.
“Rather than blocking a vote on the war record of this individual, the Government should use this as an opportunity to review Australia’s reflexive and counterproductive support for Israel’s occupation of the Palestinian territories.
"The Greens have renewed our calls for the Australian Government to halt military cooperation and military trade with Israel while working for an end to Israel’s occupation of the Palestinian territories and the eight year blockade of Gaza," Senator Ludlam said.
"The government's decision to block this vote and stifle discussion about Gantz's sponsored visit to Australia is disappointing, although not surprising," said Australian Greens Senator for NSW Lee Rhiannon.
"What gives me hope is the number of people outside of this parliament who are committed to speaking out about Gantz and about Israel's occupation of the Palestinian territories.
"Although the details of Gantz's Sydney visits are being kept secret there were several protestors at an event on Sunday in Sydney that Gantz spoke at. I commend those protestors.
"The Greens for Palestine will continue their commitment to help stop the ongoing oppression of Palestinians, and will continue their campaign for Australia to end military ties with Israel," Senator Rhiannon said.
The motion the government refused to allow can be viewed here: http://scott-ludlam.greensmps.org.au/content/motions/benjamin-gantz-former-israel-defence-force-chief-general-staff