There is currently in Israel the largest Australian delegation ever to visit the Zionist state. Leading politicians and journalists are enjoying the pleasures of Israeli hospitality. The fact that so many people are visiting while Israel faces intense criticism over its racist policies proves the blindness of the Western elites when it comes to the country. Witness the chummy press conference between Foreign Ministers Kevin Rudd and Avigdor Lieberman.

We have to read the Jerusalem Post to learn some of the real agenda of this largely off the record experience:

On Monday, after arriving in Israel for the third time, Rudd warmly embraced President Shimon Peres who asked him what it was like to be a foreign minister after having been a prime minister.

To take the barb out of the question, he added that he had his own experience in this respect.

"I was going to ask you for guidance," said Rudd without missing a beat.

But treating the question more seriously, he said that he was now able to give 100 percent of his time to foreign affairs instead of 20% as he had done as prime minister.

Following their private discussion, Peres and Rudd held a Q&A session with the members of Rudd's delegation, who participated in the third annual Australia-Israel Leadership Forum.

meanwhile, back in the real world .....

At Marrickville Council's meeting last night [in inner Sydney], Greens, ALP and an independent councillor united to adopt the following resolution moved by Greens Councillor Cathy Peters:

"That:

- In particular recognition of its sister city relationship with Bethlehem and the strong support for this relationship from local progressive faith communities and other community members, Marrickville Council support the principles of the BDS global campaign and report back on any links the Council has with organisations or companies that support or profit from the Israeli military occupation of Palestine with a view to the Council divesting from such links and imposing a boycott on any future such links or goods purchases.

- Marrickville Council boycott all goods made in Israel and any sporting, institutional academic, government or institutional cultural exchanges.

- Marrickville Council write to the local State and Federal ministers (Carmel Tebbutt and Anthony Albanese) informing them of Council's position and seeking their support at the State and Federal level for the global BDS movement."

The Editor

Sydney Morning Herald                                                     December 21st, 2010

Re: Israeli Boycott

I would like to record my strong support for the courageous decision by Marrickville Council to join the global boycott of Israel ('Suburb joins Israeli boycott', SMH, December 21st).

It is encouraging to hear a growing number of political voices accurately reflecting community concerns by speaking out against the criminal behaviour being perpetrated against the Palestinian people by the Zionist extremists, who presently control the government of Israel.

Sadly, the 'rank hypocrisy' tag used by Vic Alhadeff, of the Jewish Board of Deputies, would be better applied to national governments in the west, including our own, who unconditionally endorse Israel's behaviour, no matter how obscene & shameful it may be & notwithstanding public opinion.

Nevertheless, as the Wikileaks experience has taught us, our governments routinely act contrary to public opinion, the public interest & even the law, until such time as they are caught-out or it is no longer in their interests to do so.

The actions of Marrickville Council can only encourage members of the public to become more voiciferus on this issue which, in turn, will ultimately lead to a change in thinking at a national level.

John Richardson

as a matter of interest, here is a list of our federal politicians & media folk currently enjoying Israeli hospitality, courtesy of Albert Dadon, of the Australia Israel Leadership Forum ...

Kevin Rudd                 Foreign Minister

Stephen Conroy          Communications Minister

Kim Carr                      Industry Minister

Mike Kelly                    Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture

Richard Marles            Parliamentary Secretary for Pacific Island Affairs

Michael Danby            MP (Labour)

Bill Shorten                  MP (Labour)

Julie Bishop                 Deputy Leader of the Opposition

Christopher Pyne        MP (Liberal)

Andrew Robb              MP (Liberal)

George Brandis           MP (Liberal)

Kevin Andrews            MP (Liberal)

Brett Mason                 MP (Liberal)

Mitch Fifield                 MP (Liberal)

Steven Ciobo              MP (Liberal)

Guy Barnett                 MP (Liberal)

Chris Uhlmann ABC Political Editor

Greg Sheridan             The Australian

Tony Walker                The Australian Financial Review

Steve Lewis                 News Limited &

Lenore Taylor              The Sydney Morning Herald

Hands up all those who like taking free trips to Israel organised by the Zionist lobby?

The Sydney Morning Herald's Lenore Taylor does and her recent column simply "reported" alarmist Israeli comments over the supposed threat of Iran. It wasn't journalism; it was very effective stenography. No alternative voices were offered.

Today, in Murdoch's Australian, there's Greg Sheridan (who doesn't acknowledge who held his hand throughout the trip ie. the Zionist lobby) and he simply republishes large swathes of predictable ramblings by Danny Ayalon, Israel's deputy foreign minister and former ambassador to Washington.

Quick summary: Iran is a massive threat. The occupation of Palestine doesn't exist. The Palestinians have themselves to blame for not being independent. Australia is a wonderful ally that backs everything Israel does.

One day, and this day isn't that far away, Israel and its sycophantic Western backers will have much explaining to do. How the hell has the Zionist state become so loathed because it continues to brutalise Palestinians?

Israel May Have To Attack Iran - Zionist Leader Tells Obedient Murdoch Typist

meanwhile .....

The following letter was written by Australian Artists Against Apartheid:

December 22nd, 2010

Dear Joseph Tawadros,

We are writing in advance of your planned performance in the apartheid state of Israel, which we hope you will cancel. The Red Sea Winter Jazz Festival (RSWJF) is sponsored by the Israeli government, which additionally sponsors the dispossession of Palestinians from their homes, and many laws discriminating against "non-Jews" in a segregated and undemocratic apartheid system.

State-culture propaganda initiatives, such as the RSWJF serve to brand Israel to the world as a "vibrant cultural hub", while it continues its profitable human rights violations and colonialism on the ground.

In response to decades of oppression under Israeli apartheid, coupled with the failure of international institutions to support their quest for equal rights and justice, the Palestinian people have called for Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (see BDS movement) until Israel is in compliance with international law and human rights conventions.

Given Israel's extensive use of cultural propaganda, the BDS movement includes a campaign for cultural boycott. A multitude of artists, including renowned musicians such as Elvis Costello, Gil Scott-Heron, and Santana, have heeded the boycott call and canceled planned performances in Israel. All international artists appearing at the RSWJF would violate two key criteria of the cultural boycott of Israel: (1) By performing at a state sponsored event and (2) By performing at an apartheid venue in Israel.

Please cancel your upcoming appearance at RSWJF and help to realize equal rights and justice in Palestine-Israel. By heeding the Palestinian call for international solidarity we can stop entertaining apartheid.

Signed,

Australian Artists Against Apartheid

Open Letter To Joseph Tawadros To Apply BDS

elsewhere ....

I'd read enough to know that ex-PM KR wasn't going to be my favourite cup of tea, but there's a piece in the Australian Financial Review by a journo called Tony Walker that confirms my prejudices.  Walker really does give him a working over generally in a piece entitled "Rudd an accident waiting to happen"

In Jerusalem, on the occasion of a gala dinner for the Australia-Israel Leadership forum at the King David Hotel, [Rudd] waded into a bloody piece of history he might have left alone.

"From the 1930s, this hotel became the British field headquarters for what was then Palestine, until Menachem Begin undertook some interior redesign," Rudd said to stifled guffaws from the audience. The so-called "interior design" referred to the blowing up of the King David - then headquarters for the British presence in Palestine - by the Jewish terrorist organization Irgun, led by Begin, who was later prime minister of Israel. About 92 people were killed in that moment of "interior redesign," including British servicemen and women, Arabs and Jews.

This was a silly intervention, made worse by the fact that it appeared in a set-piece speech written partly by Rudd himself. He can't blame a feckless speech writer.

Kevin Rudd, A Class Act

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA .....

Will the Minister of External Affairs be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government is aware that there is a continuous social, economic and psychological blockade of the Palestinian people;

(b) if so, the steps taken by the government to support Palestinian cause; and

(c) the present stand of the Government in this regard?

ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SMT. PRENEET KAUR) 

(a) to (c) Government are aware of the restrictions placed on the Palestinians residing in Gaza Strip. India has called for an early and significant easing of restrictions on the free movement of persons and goods within Palestine. 

India's abiding commitment to the Palestinian cause is an important component of our foreign policy. Our unwavering support to the Palestinian cause is reiterated at every available opportunity and forum including during the recent visit of the Hon'ble President to Syria and by the Hon'ble Prime Minister in his message on the occasion of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, organized by the UN on 29 November 2010. 

India believes that the conflict in West Asia is essentially political in nature and cannot be resolved by force. India wishes to see the creation of an environment for the earliest possible resumption of dialogue. In line with our support for UN Security Council Resolutions 242 and 338, India supports a negotiated solution resulting in a sovereign, independent, viable and united State of Palestine living within secure and recognized borders, side by side at peace with Israel as endorsed in the Quartet Roadmap and UNSC Resolutions 1397 & 1515. India has supported the Arab Peace Plan, which calls for withdrawal of Israel to pre-1967 borders, along with recognition of Israel and the establishment of the State of Palestine with East Jerusalem as its capital. 

India's stand on Blockade of Palestine

http://www.hereticpress.com/Dogstar/Religion/Faith.html

Thanks John, I have been worried about this as well, staying up all night searching the web until I found your article which uses the same picture of Gillard, Tim and their benefactor Albert Dadon. The influence of unregistered lobby groups on Australian politicians and "useful idiots" (Journalists) is also a concern for unbiased reporting as well. Many MPs have taken free trips to China and Israel, but the timing of Rudd becoming "chopped liver" coincided with his expulsion of Mossad spies (admittedly there are other factors like the mining lobby) but the coup plotters have something in common, they have all been outed as being very pro Zionist so it is not a long bow to draw that they wanted to cut up Rudd.

Taking free trips from unregistered lobby groups is illegal for MPs under Gillard's Ministerial Code of conduct and The Lobbying rules, I checked and not a single one of the Jewish lobby groups are registered, why not?

They are actively courting Australian MPs to support Israel. I am not anti-Israel, but I am also pro human rights for others and as Rudd would say a "fair go" for people in Palestine as is the UN. I agree John, maybe I have more sensitive olfactory senses, but a "whiff" looks like a duck, walks like a duck, but smells like a really dead duck, Oh no, it is just another Australian MP who has taken the free trip to Israel, they will never over react to anything Israel does or support Human Rights for Palestine.

Pragmatic Gillard is guaranteed never to over-react to anything Israel does, her supporters Shorten, Danby, Howes they all support Israel blindly no matter what Israel does. The Labor party has become a tool for a very few men who dominate the 37,000 members like Bill Shorten did to get his nomination into Broadmeadows above what the local members wanted. Shorten has done this before for his staff member Natalie Sykes-Hutchens. Bill Shorten told an ABC reporter he would be PM before the next election. The numbers men must be disposed of for the ALP to survive with any integrity. Some news reporters who have taken the free trip also smell to high heaven. A whiff smells like a stench to me of Australian MPs taking bribes from lobby groups.

Thanks yourdemocracy.net, I say this on my own site in more detail, I am relieved to find others had a similar sense of smell.

Tonight I acknowledge Australia's important relationship with the nation of Israel. In particular, I would like to speak about Australia's involvement at the Evian Conference in 1938 and call on the Australian government to apologise for the hurt that was caused. I will also call on the Australian government to support efforts to commemorate the battle of Be'er-Sheva through the establishment of a museum. I will acknowledge the outstanding Indigenous Australian William Cooper and make further comments about the Australia-Israel Leadership Forum in which I had the privilege to participate in 2009 and 2010.

Australia and Israel have long enjoyed a close and productive relationship. In fact, Australia was the first nation to formally recognise the sovereignty of the state of Israel in 1948. Israel, it is said, is trapped between history and hope. From the first day of it being an independent state as authorised by the United Nations on 15 May 1948 to today, disputes, battles and wars have been fought over not only its borders but its right to exist. In 2008 the Australian parliament commemorated Israel's 60 years as an independent nation and I spoke in the Senate in support of those sentiments. Australia's relationship with Israel is highly valued.

Within the context of this relationship, however, there have been difficult times. Tonight I want to talk about one such occasion where Australia did not act as a true friend should, and that was in comments made by our representative at the Evian Conference in France in 1938. Reports of attacks against the German Jewish population reached Australia as early as 1933. The German Consul-General denied the reports and the Sydney Morning Herald stated:

It is an unfortunate blot on the progress of the nations towards peace and goodwill that events in Germany include an outbreak of hatred and intolerance against the Jews.

Some prominent Australians also expressed sympathetic attitudes, including the then Premier of New South Wales in 1933, Bertram Stevens, who stated at a public rally:

The Jewish citizens as we know them in this country are excellent citizens, worthy in every way of all rights and privileges that we enjoy under the British flag.

From 11 July to 18 July of 1938 the Evian Conference was held in France, convened by President Roosevelt. Australia was one of 31 countries participating in the conference aimed at creating an international committee to coordinate international refugee policy and facilitate the flow of the increasing number of refugees fleeing Nazi persecution. Australia was represented by the Minister for Trade and Customs, T.W. White, who expressed this sentiment:

It will no doubt be appreciated also that as we have no real racial problem, we are not desirous of importing one by encouraging any scheme of large-scale foreign migration ...

It is a matter of national shame that White's statement on behalf of the government of Australia is still visible at the Yad Vashem holocaust memorial in Jerusalem as the single representative response for all other nations' responses of indifference at the Evian Conference and is viewed by thousands of tourists annually.

Senator Guy Barnett

and nary a word about our 'special friend's genocidal treatment of the peoples of Palestine .....

In October last year, the Secretary of the Maritime Union of Australia & President of the Victorian Trades Hall, Kevin Bracken, whilst attempting to take part in the public debate regarding Australia's involvement in Afghanistan, was publicly ridiculed by radio broadcaster John Faine, as well as Prime Minister Julia Gillard (amongst others), for calling into question the official version of the 911 Twin Towers attack in 2001.

Bracken said: "What we should be doing is calling for a proper investigation into the events of September 11. There's so many unanswered questions. The official story doesn't stand up to scientific scrutiny."

Those who agree with Bracken & question the ignorance of our Prime Minister & many of her parliamentary colleagues, might be interested in the following video Friends of Israel

Who says that pro-Palestinian campaigning can't result in better outcomes for those living under Zionist occupation? The Financial Times reports:

Deutsche Bahn, the German railway operator, has pulled out of an Israeli project that cuts through the occupied Palestinian West Bank, after pressure from activists and Berlin.

The move marks a victory for pro-Palestinian groups and their so-called boycott, divestment and sanctions campaign, which tries to use economic pressure on Israel to help the Palestinian cause.

Campaigners were angered by the activities of Deutsche Bahn's international consulting arm, which provided advice on the electrification of the new track linking Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. The high-speed line, due to be completed by 2017, has attracted sharp criticism from Palestinian officials because a 6-km stretch cuts through the West Bank.

Opponents said the project was illegal because it used occupied Palestinian territory for a project that would be used primarily, or solely, by Israeli citizens. They also argued that the new line could have easily been built on Israeli territory alone, making land confiscations in the West Bank unnecessary.

Deutsche Bahn, which is state-owned, declined to comment on the reasons for the pull-out but said: "We told Israel Railways in February that we would not provide further services for this particular project."

The operator added that the involvement in the Tel Aviv-Jerusalem line had been "modest" and that DB International, its consulting subsidiary, would continue to provide services to the Israeli rail operator elsewhere.

According to a letter sent by Germany's ministry for transport to a member of parliament, the operator faced criticism for its involvement from the government itself: "The federal government pointed out [to Deutsche Bahn] that the project of the Israeli state railway is problematic from a foreign policy point of view and potentially breaches international law," it said. The letter added that the German operator confirmed "in writing" that there would be no further involvement of its international subsidiary in "this politically very sensitive project".

The document, dated March 11, was published on Monday on the website of Change.org, a campaign group.

Merav Emir, an activist with Who Profits, the campaign group that leads the lobbying effort against the rail project, welcomed the decision. "I want to congratulate the German government for making such a clear and bold statement about the illegality of this train route under international law," she said. "We call on other European governments to follow suit in making sure that companies in their countries abide by international law."

The Israeli transport ministry did not return calls for comment.

Antony Loewenstein

27 June 2011 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Australian Government to abandon citizens on Freedom Flotilla 2

Australians aboard the Gaza Freedom Flotilla 2 have been told by DFAT that Australia, following directives from Israel, will deny these Australian citizens any consular assistance or support should Israel board and detain them. 

Sylvia Hale, former Greens NSW MP and on board the Gaza Freedom Flotilla 2, said via satellite phone:

 "I find it ... perturbing that the Israeli Government should propose to deny consular access, not only to Australian nationals but also to nationals of other countries.

"....[C]ould you please explain why the Australian Government has remained silent in the face of the possible injury, imprisonment or deportation of Australian citizens from Israel, especially as they have absolutely no desire to set foot, willingly or unwillingly, on Israeli territory," Ms Hale said.


Audio recordings of Ms Hale's comments are available on request.

Jake Lynch, Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies at University of Sydney, said:

"The Australian government has a responsibility to protect its citizens against illegal military aggression, especially with prior knowledge of Israel's plans.

"Both Australia and Israel are signatories to the Vienna convention, under which consular access must be allowed to detained persons. For Australia to waive this right at Israel's behest shows our government places greater importance on supporting Israel's flouting of international law than it does on the safety of Australians.

"With this decision, DFAT legitimises both the siege and naval blockade, both of which contravene Article 33 of the Fourth Geneva Convention, forbidding collective punishments.

"Australian diplomacy places our government on the extreme pro-Israeli fringe of world political opinion. The international community opposes the illegal siege of Gaza, the illegal occupation of Palestinian territories and the ongoing expulsion of the Palestinian population of East Jerusalem. On all these issues, Australia is one of a tiny minority of countries which routinely provide diplomatic cover", Associate Professor Lynch said.

Sylvia Hale and other Australians aboard Gaza Freedom Flotilla 2, including Vivienne Porzsolt and Michael Coleman, communicate daily with supporters in Australia via satellite phone.

More information call Jake Lynch on 0420 980 010 or Rihab Charida on 0405 760 929

Or email: gffausgroup@gmail.com --  Gaza Freedom Flotilla Group (Australia)

Web: www.palrelief.org

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GazaAustralia

Twitter: @GFFAusGroup

Post: Gaza Freedom Flotilla Group (Australia)

PO Box 542

Leichhardt NSW 2040

Yes, John...

meanwhile at the bankrupt nation port:

Efforts by pro-Palestinian activists to challenge Israel's blockade of Gaza appeared increasingly doubtful yesterday amid reports that Greece was preventing several ships from leaving port to join a convoy bound for the Palestinian territory.

Greek authorities have delayed the departure of five or six boats, according to the Israeli news site Ynet, as Israel lobbies governments to warn their citizens against joining the flotilla.

About 350 activists on 10 ships had planned to sail for the besieged Palestinian enclave of Gaza in an effort to challenge Israel's land and sea blockade, which they say is illegal and inhumane. But those numbers could now be much smaller if the ships, some of which are carrying humanitarian supplies, are prevented from leaving Greece.

The campaign, Freedom Flotilla II, was dealt a major blow recently when IHH, the Turkish group that led last year's convoy with the ship Mavi Marmara, pulled out, apparently at the bidding of Ankara.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/israeli-campaign-stops-gaza-flotilla-leaving-port-2303675.html

Suspected Israeli agents try to sabotage Freedom Flotilla II ship’s engine

ATHENS, (PIC)– A group suspected of being linked with the Israeli foreign intelligence agency the Mossad was reported to have tried to thwart the sailing of a Greek ship slated to join the Gaza-bound Freedom Flotilla II due to set sail sometime next week.

The elements tried to sabotage the ship’s engine, but a crew discovered the men while checking the equipment, Quds Press said, quoting sources from the flotilla’s organizing body, on Saturday. The sources added that the men fled the scene.

Since the incident, participants have been taking turns watching guard in anticipation of another shot at foiling the mission to deliver much needed humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip.

The flotilla, which will include some 15 ships and hundreds of notable passengers, has insisted on heading for the Strip despite Israel’s open threats to use military force to stop the ships short before landing at the said destination.

Meanwhile, the European campaign to end the siege on Gaza, one of the largest organizers of the flotilla, has announced that the first ship to join the flotilla has departed from France.

http://realisticbird.wordpress.com/2011/06/26/suspected-sabotage-of-freedom-flotilla-2-ship%E2%80%99s-engine-jordanian-lifeline-to-gaza/

The United States government has criminalised the Palestinian people, and now it is increasingly treating US citizens who stand in solidarity with Palestine as criminals as well - including those courageously putting their lives on the line to break the siege on Gaza.

I am a Palestine solidarity activist in the US, and one of 23 US citizens who have been issued with a subpoena to appear before a federal grand jury as part of what the government has said is an investigation into violations of the laws banning material support to foreign "terrorist organisations".

None of us have given money or weapons to any group on the State Department's foreign terrorist organisation list. But what many of us have done is participate in or help organise educational trips to meet with Palestinians and Colombians resisting the US-funded military regimes they live under.

The goal of these trips is to learn about the human rights violations happening in these places and to bring those stories back home to the US, to educate people and to organise to change US foreign policy for the better.

http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/opinion/2011/06/2011626121757256629.html

This story seems unbelievable. Leading Australian Zionist politician and occupation defender Michael Danby wanting to highlight Israel's blatant racism? Mmm:

MK Danny Danon (Likud) requested from Australian MP Michael Danby on Wednesday to propose sending African migrants from Israel to Australia in parliament.

Danon and Danby discussed the issue during the Australian politician's recent visit to Israel, as a part of the World Jewish Congress's International Conference of Jewish Parliamentarians.

"The arrival of thousands of Muslim infiltrators to Israeli territory is a clear threat to the state's Jewish identity," Danon told The Jerusalem Post. "The refugees' place is not among us, and the initiative to transfer them to Australia is the right and just solution.

"On the one hand, it treats the refugees and migrants in a humane way. On the other hand, it does not threaten Israel's future and our goal to maintain a clear and solid Jewish majority," he explained.

Danon said Danby agreed to present the idea to the Australian parliament. Danby was not available for comment.

According to the Knesset's Research and Information Center, there are 35,638 migrants in Israel, as of May 2011. Less than one percent of these migrants are recognized by the UN as refugees.

However, 61% of the migrants - 21,748 people - are Eritrean, and categorized as "temporary humanitarian protection group" by the UN, because they cannot be returned safely to their home country due to internal strife.

"Since Australia has a policy of accepting refugees and groups under protection, I would appreciate it if you could promote a solution in which Australia would accept those who seek refuge," Danon wrote in a letter following his meeting with Danby.

"This solution will make it easier for Israel to ensure its future as a Jewish state, because without a Jewish majority the State of Israel cannot survive," the Likud MK wrote.

Antony Loewenstein

Union Aid Abroad - APHEDA does wonderful work in many corners of the globe. But its focus in Palestine has caused the local Israel lobby to pressure the Australian government to sever ties to the group. This isn't likely but once again highlights the toxic nature of the Zionist mainstream on decency and morality.

During a recent parliamentary committee in Canberra, Liberal Senator Eric Abetz - who sees to love Israel more than his own children - asked AusAID what exactly it is backing in the Middle East. There's no problem with such questions in theory but the aim is to a) do the Zionist lobby's bidding and attempt to demonise any kind of support for Palestinians and b) frame Israel as a benevolent power in Palestine. Here's the lobby's AIJAC report:

At the October 2010 Estimates hearings, Senator Eric Abetz (Tas. Lib) questioned AusAID on elements of its funding dispensed to APHEDA. Senator Abetz asked AusAID whether it funded organisations associated with BDS or the APHEDA 'study tours' to the Middle East. AusAID responded that "no AusAID or other Australian Development Assistance funds are provided to any groups for the BDS campaign" and that "AusAID does not provide any funding for the [APHEDA] study trips." However, regarding Ma'an Development Centre AusAID conceded that while "AusAID does not directly fund Ma'an Development Centre... under the Australian Middle East NGO Cooperation Agreement (AMENCA) AusAID provides funding to Union Aid Abroad APHEDA."

Senator Abetz returned to these issues at the 2 June 2011 Estimates hearings, eliciting yet more revelations. Abetz asked AusAID: "What are the safeguards in place that prevent AusAID funding being used by APHEDA or any of the other in a manner that contravenes Australian government policy on Israel? Let us just pluck an example out of the air like BDS?" AusAID replied simply: "We have no information that any of the NGOs we are supporting...are involved with that program."

But Senator Abetz then pointed out to AusAID that "According to APHEDA's annual reports all of APHEDA's funds for Middle East projects originate from AusAID," which would seem to imply that it must be AusAID's tax dollars being given to the Ma'an Development Centre by APHEDA. In response, AusAID did not contest this claim, merely re-stating its position that no AusAID funds are contributed towards organisations that support BDS. The AusAID representative offered no concrete assurances that the Australian taxpayer money apparently being given to the Ma'an Development Centre via APHEDA is not being used for BDS activities.

As a result of Senator Abetz's efforts, it now seems established as fact that AusAID is indirectly supporting the Ma'an Development Centre via APHEDA. Further, AusAID is apparently unable, to date, to provide concrete assurances that these monies are not going to fund the Ma'an Development Centre's efforts to promote BDS.

When Senator Abetz asked: "if it established that APHEDA's official position is to support the BDS campaign, would AusAID reconsider its funding of APHEDA?" AusAID replied "it would be the decision of the Minister to make if there were information that caused us to question the way in which Australian aid funds are being used."

Given the information revealed in these hearings, there now seems ample reason to raise such questions about the AusAID funding to APHEDA. Given AusAID's inability to provide adequate answers to Senator Abetz's questions, the ball must now move to the court of Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd, as AusAID implied. There is now a good basis for expecting a review of his department's funding of APHEDA in light of these revelations and the fact that on 1 April 2011, Mr. Rudd assured Australians that his government "did not condone nor support any boycotts or sanctions against the Jewish state."

Where to begin? It is interesting how the other three Australian NGOs (CARE, World Vision and Actionaid) did not get questioned and odd also how their Palestinian partner NGOs - like just about every Palestinian NGO - have equally signed up to the 2005 BDS [boycott, divestment and sanctions] call, yet it is the APHEDA partner that gets singled out.

I've been told for years by APHEDA staff that the Australian Workers Union's Paul Howes and his Zionist lieutenants are upset that any major union would seriously challenge Israel and they work continuously to bully both APHEDA and its Labor Party-aligned backers to stop campaigning so strongly for Palestine. In this they have failed. But it won't stop them trying. It is ironic in the extreme that a union that claims to care for workers and human rights spends time defending Israel, a nation that actively oppresses Palestinian workers under occupation. Principle has nothing to do with this position.

Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd is always quoting the fact that Australia has "greatly" increased aid to the Palestinians to $56m in 2011-12 and the important activities the aid is doing. However, he uses this "fact" to erroneously answer questions about Australia's support of Palestinian aspirations (statehood, refugee right of return, end the occupation, human rights etc) for peace. In a political conflict such as this, providing aid is only half the answer; it must also be coupled with the insistence that Israel comply with relevant international, humanitarian law. The Australian government is silent on law enforcement against its great friend and ally.

Following the ripple effect of the Marrickville BDS campaign and the success of APHEDA study tours (which take unionists and others across the West Bank and Gaza and not just hear Zionist talking points), there is growing scrutiny in Parliament on AusAID's Palestine program. It's tragic that Palestine, with the least resources available to it and under siege, has to answer for the world's ills and people's petty prejudices.

APHEDA's Middle East project officer Lisa Arnold tells me: "Gaza is a man-made disaster of more than five times the scale of the Indian Ocean tsunami; it's just that the deaths and destruction occur over the course of decades, not minutes."

The reality remains that APHEDA operates vitally important programs across Palestine - a few years ago I visited one of its programs at Gaza's only rehabilitation hospital - and the Zionist lobby with its corporate and media mates should not be allowed to threaten this life-line to a people under occupation.

Antony Loewenstein

An Israeli man who died in February's devastating Christchurch earthquake may have been part of a team of Israeli Mossad agents gathering secret information from New Zealand databases.

Three Israelis were among the 181 people who died when the 6.3-magnitude shock hit on February 22. One, Ofer Benyamin Mizrahi, 24, was found to be carrying at least five passports, according to The Southland Times.

The report claimed the police national computer system has been under investigation by the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service (SIS) since the earthquake, because of fears Israeli spies loaded software into the system that would allow access to intelligence files.

The report also highlighted a surge of top-level interest from Israel in the quake's aftermath.

Following the earthquake, Prime Minister John Key reportedly received four calls from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Soon after, Israel's civil defence chief traveled to Christchurch, while a complete Israeli urban search and rescue squad also scrambled to get there - at one stage being confronted by armed local police and forced out of a sealed-off section of the devastated city.

Three other Israelis, who had been travelling in a minivan with Mizrahi, were quickly evacuated back to Israel.

Israeli who died in Christchurch earthquake may have been Mossad agent

On current evidence, the Australian government is (close to being) utterly captured by the Zionist lobby, the US alliance and blindness towards racial apartheid in the occupied territories. Are we capable of leading on this issue, and recognising that simply indulging Israeli behaviour is the worst possible friendship?

Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd wants Australia to abstain in a potentially explosive United Nations vote to recognise a Palestinian state, pitting him against Julia Gillard's declared strong support for Israel.

Mr Rudd has written to the Prime Minister recommending Australia vote neither for nor against a resolution set to dominate a UN summit in New York next month.

If followed, the letter - sent before Mr Rudd had heart surgery on August 1 - would result in Australia trying to duck the controversy over efforts to allow Palestine into the UN as a sovereign state.

Mr Rudd's suggested tactic is being interpreted as an attempt to avoid antagonising Arab nations and to protect Australia's campaign for a temporary seat on the Security Council, due to go to a vote next year.

But abstaining from any vote on Palestinian statehood would annoy Israel - which has mounted a worldwide diplomatic offensive against the resolution - and would likely leave Australia out of step with the US.

Ms Gillard has made support for Israel one of her foreign policy priorities since toppling Mr Rudd for the leadership. Australia has a policy of supporting a two-state solution but has not backed unilateral moves towards Palestinian statehood in the past, calling for a negotiated settlement to the long-running conflict.

Three prominent Jewish groups held talks in Canberra with Mr Rudd and Ms Gillard in early June to express opposition to the UN vote, which is expected in late September around the opening of the annual General Assembly.

The meetings - led by Executive Council of Australian Jewry president Danny Lamm, the Zionist Federation of Australia's Philip Chester and the Australia/Israel and Jewish Affairs Council's Jeremy Jones - were described as a presentation rather than lobbying.

"We went to present and asked to be listened to about where we stood on particular issues," Mr Jones said yesterday.

Palestinian Authority spokesman Ghassan Khatib was in Canberra last month to put the Palestinian case in favour of the resolution and met Chris Evans, who was acting foreign minister while Mr Rudd was in hospital.

Moammar Mashni, of Australians for Palestine, said his organisation had met a number of government members in June urging Australia to back the UN resolution in line with Labor's support for a two-state settlement.

Antony Loewenstein

from Crikey .....

WikiLeaks: Shorten seeks US approval for prime ministership

Luke Miller writes:

BILL SHORTEN, WIKILEAKS, WIKILEAKS AUSTRALIA, WIKILEAKS CABLES

A confidential cable leaked today by WikiLeaks from the US consulate in Melbourne contains an extraordinary portrait of federal Labor MP Bill Shorten as a power hungry sycophant and contains similar allegations from last year that the foreign power is being provided detailed inside information about government ministers and the ALP.

The cable, covering a meeting on the 11th June 2009, appears to be in part an audition piece, with Shorten presenting his Prime Ministerial credentials to the US Consul General. In the leaked document he talks about his ambition, criticises the union movement, plays up his friendship with Melbourne business elites, and is disappointed about being overlooked in a recent cabinet reshuffle.

Aware that the US Consul General in Melbourne is largely concerned with US business interests in the country, Shorten was at pains to show he was no mere union lackey. "Shorten was highly critical," noted the US diplomat, "of current Australian union leadership". He goes on to outline his business-friendly credentials, including his "MBA from Melbourne University", talking about how close he was to "to the late packaging mogul Richard Pratt", and throwing his union comrades under a tram by pledging that "in comparison to other union leaders, he is willing to listen to business concerns".

As well as being critical of the union movement, Shorten was also keen to appeal to the political sensibilities of the Americans. Under the heading "Anti-Federalist Approach to Bushfire Reconstruction" Shorten told the diplomat that the federal government "already has plenty of duties" and that he "he did not want to see additional powers delegated to the federal level as a result of the Royal Commission into the February 2009 fires."

The cable is not entirely favourable to Shorten and may even contain some subtle mocking. It notes he was "somewhat rumpled in appearance" and recounts a moment of sycophancy where Shorten announces he is "deeply influenced by Martin Luther King Jr." and during the meeting quotes "from several of his speeches".

Shorten, who is married to the Governor-General's daughter and is also number 1 on The Power Index's list of political fixers for his role in bringing down Kevin Rudd, "makes no bones about his ambitions", writes the Consul General:

"Despite his lukewarm relationship with Prime Minister Rudd ... Shorten struck us as highly ambitious but willing to wait ... at least for a while ... for his moment in the sun."

Hmmmnn...
"Wearing her much-scrutinised prime ministerial white jacket, Julia Gillard fitted right in with the chefs in the kitchen of Bakini in St Kilda Road on Saturday night. The besieged leader had dinner in the Italian restaurant owned by Albert Dadon, the property developer and chairman of Ubertus who used to employ Gillard's partner, Tim Mathieson, before she ascended the Canberra throne. Gillard rubbed her white shoulders with the whites of chef Simone Righetto and chatted with kitchen staff. Dadon posted a snap of Gillard on Twitter but when asked to spill the cannellini beans on the visit, he said: 'The dinner was of private nature and I am not at liberty to disclose anything'. If the PM was sounding out Dadon for a job for herself, post-politics, or for Mathieson, he won't say." (Gillard jazzes up dinner with Dadon, Suzanne Carbone, watoday.com.au, 5/6/12)

Sounding out Albert for jobs, Suzanne? That's certainly one possibility. But Albert is so much more than just a property developer. He also runs a shuttle service for Australian politicians and their entourages to Israel called the Australia Israel Leadership Forum. And he's a good mate of Michael Danby, Labor's Mr Israel. Quite clearly Susan, Albert does have more on his mind than just rearranging the cityscape and Italian tucker. Instead of sounding out Albert for a job, could Albert perhaps be sounding out Julia to do a little job... for Israel? His reluctance to spill the cannellini beans, as you put it, certainly invites such speculation. Could the conversation have gone something like this, for example:

To cut to the chase, Julia, what with Israel forever on the cusp of being driven into the sea by massed Palestinian panzer divisions, and more recently, on the cusp of being toasted by Iran's non-existent nuclear arsenal, it really doesn't need yet another headache on its hands, know what I mean? But damn it, that's exactly what it has right now: thousands of African infiltrators are currently on the cusp of turning Israel's fabulous white Jewish Majority into a besieged minority!

And no, it's not just baseless paranoia! I'm talking existential threat here. Israelis know what these infiltrators are up to. After all, they themselves were once a fabulous white Jewish minority who had to work overtime - know what I mean? - turning Palestine's then brown Muslim Majority into the besieged  minority you see today, OK? You do understand, don't you?

So how about it, Julia? If you could help us out here, like Howard did with those South Lebanon Army dudes back in 2000, we'd be eternally grateful. And if he ever needs it, I could put Tim back on the payroll as a waiter here at at Bakini's, not to mention throw a couple of those lucrative pre-poll breakfasts with the Jewish community at my Toorak mansion* come election time. What do you say? Is it a deal?

Now lest such speculation be dismissed as idle, read the following item, coupled with my 4/9/11 post, Israel's Australia Solution, and you'll see what I mean:

"MK Danny Danon (Likud) asked Australian MP Michael Danby on Wednesday to propose, in parliament in Canberra, sending African migrants from Israel to Australia. Danon and Danby discussed the issue during the Australian politician's visit to Israel for the World Jewish Congress's International Conference of Jewish Parliamentarians. 'The arrival of thousands of [African] Muslim infiltrators to Israeli territory is a clear threat to [Israel's] Jewish identity', Danon told The Jerusalem Post. 'The refugees' place is not among us, and the initiative to transfer them to Australia is the right and just solution. On the one hand, it treats the refugees and migrants in a humane way. On the other hand, it does not threaten Israel's future and our goal to maintain a clear and solid Jewish majority', he explained. Danon said Danby enthusiastically agreed to present the idea to the Australian Parliament." (Danny Danon: Send African migrants to Australia, Lahav Harkov, 30/6/11)

Watch this space.

Spilling The Cannellini Beans

One thing always leads to another on the internet. While looking for something else, I stumbled on this:

"The Israel-Palestine conflict has been going on for years and will probably continue for many years to come. There's almost a sibling rivalry between the two. Little Palestine hassles and taunts Israel, coming into his room every morning to flick him in the face. Unsurprisingly, Israel punches him in the face one morning, and we all know who ends up getting the sympathy from mum and dad."

Now I've seen some truly revolting takes on this subject in my time, but this little reverse-reality fable is up there with the best of the worst. The kind of quality blindness that has gone into something like this doesn't come easily, however. Brainwashing from birth and an astonishing reluctance, bordering on fear, to think things through, are required. I'm reminded of Bertrand Russell's adage: Some people would rather die than think.

It comes from an article by a certain Louise Easson, Warning: may contain traces of bombs, and was published in a Sydney University student paper called The Bull (2-8/6/08). The blurb reads: "Louise Easson explains the phenomenon of travel in dangerous, war-torn countries."

Now Ms Easson is a scion of Labor royalty. Her father, Michael, was once a NSW ALP senior vice-president. Her mother, Mary, was the ALP member for the federal seat of Lowe from 1993 to 1996. This rather too-close-for-comfort relationship with a Zionised ALP (hell, Louise even worked for Christina Keneally the year after the above was written!), goes a long way to explaining the above.

Add to that the fact that Mary Easson, and Louise's sister, Amanda, were part of the entourage, led by then foreign minister Kevin Rudd, which flocked to Albert Dadon's Australia Israel Leadership Forum in Jerusalem in 2010, and you've got even more of the jigsaw. 

But the clincher, which really completes the picture, has got to be a comment by Mary Easson on Israel's illegal West Bank wall, made after accompanying a Young Labor delegation, including Amanda, to Israel in 2007: "A wall in principle sounds like a terrible thing, but you go and see it and you think, 'Oh well, yeah, I can see why you would need that.'" (See my 30/3/09 post I've been to Israel too.)

It's A Family Affair