Australian Jews Slam Israeli Policies CANBERRA, 22 September 2002: A growing number of Australian Jews are publicly opposing the Israeli government's policies towards the Palestinian people. Today one group released a statement supporting the rights of Palestinians and condemning the actions of the Israeli government in the West Bank, East Jerusalem and Gaza.
The statement, which has already gained 37 signatures, may be viewed on the web at www.geocities.com/jewsaoo/ [the number of signatories has grown from the original 37, since the statement was publicly released on 22 September].
Contrary to the popular misconception that all Australian Jews support the Sharon government's policies, the statement condemns Israel's murder, oppression and harassment of Palestinian people.
Dr Rick Kuhn, a senior lecturer in political science at the Australian National University and an initiator of the Jews Against Oppression and Occupation statement, said that while there is violence on both sides of the conflict, 'the fundamental cause is the dispossession of the Palestinian people and their oppression at the hand of the Israeli state.'
'The Israeli-Palestinian conflict will not be resolved unless there is an immediate withdrawal of Israeli military forces from the West Bank and Gaza and a total Israeli withdrawal -- including all settlements -- from the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem,' Dr Kuhn said.
'Jews everywhere -- and everyone else -- should show solidarity with the Palestinian people and campaign for an immediate and total Israeli withdrawal from the Occupied Territories,' he added.
Award-winning journalist David Liebhold, former Time Magazine Southeast Asia Correspondent and the other initiator of the statement, said: 'The countless historical atrocities against Jews were perpetrated by relatively small groups. They were made possible by the failure of the majority to speak up. We don't want to make the same mistake.'
'Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and his supporters claim that if you criticise the actions of the Israeli state you are an anti-Semite, Mr Liebhold said. 'This is bullshit. In fact, Sharon's actions are about oppressing and killing people. Jews with a conscience cannot remain silent.'
Signatories Name Suburb Occupation Avigail Abarbanel Lyneham ACT Psychotherapist Judy Bamberger O'Connor ACT Teacher Lorana Bartels Glebe NSW Researcher Leo Bild Weston ACT Public servant Rose Blustein South Caulfield Vic Library Manager Shiffi Blustein South Caulfield Vic Student Sholam Blustein South Caulfield Vic Student Angela Budai Artarmon Sydney Union Organiser David Cowen Murwillumbah NSW Retired John Ebel Northcote Vic Taya Fabijanic Sylvania NSW Student Harry Feldman Dickson ACT Public Servant Lesley Fowler O'Connor ACT Writer David Glanz Brunswick Vic Journalist David Golan Erskinville NSW Accountant Claudia Graham Castle Hill NSW Student Tim Hollo Glebe NSW Environmental activist Heidi Key Naremburn NSW Software Manager Rick Kuhn Aranda ACT Lecturer Natalie Lamm McKinnon Vic Student Melanie Lazarow Brunswick Vic Librarian Alf Liebhold Hunters Hill NSW Medical Practitioner David Liebhold Lane Cove NSW Lawyer David Mendelssohn Stanmore, NSW Union industrial officer HFK Mosse Wantirna Vic Retired Alex Nissen St. Kilda Vic Teacher Joshua Osowicki Elsternwick Vic Student Toby Ovadia Elsternwick Vic Computer Notebook Support Officer Judy Pile Northcote Vic Musician Vivienne Porzsolt Darlinghurst NSW Public Servant Nicole Preiss Surrey Hills Vic Student Deborah Rosenberg Murrumbeena Vic Social Worker Helen Rosenberg Coburg Vic Teacher Sol Salbe Maidstone Vic Food writer Meika von Samorzewski Cascades Tas Unemployed Sean Scullion Chippendale NSW Software engineer Mannie De Saxe Preston South Vic Retired Yair Solow Footscray Vic Health Worker Janey Stone St Kilda Vic Cancer researcher Steven Theunissen St Peters NSW Student Ariane Welch Petersham NSW Student Emil H. Witton Chatswood NSW Retired Ron Witton Austinmer NSW Interpreter
