Thursday, 2 November 2023

Middle East conflict

Georgie PURCELL (Northern Victoria) (17:30): (572) My adjournment matter is for the Premier, and the action I seek is for her to advocate to the Australian government for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the West Bank. Like many have expressed in this place and the other place, I mourn deeply for the thousands of innocent Israelis killed on 7 October. Nothing can justify the loss of civilian life, and I acknowledge the way that this is compounded by intergenerational trauma for many in the Jewish community. It is not lost on me that at the time these recent attacks began we were voting to ban the Nazi salute in this place, and I condemn the rise of antisemitism around the country and the world that has come as a result.

The safety of Jewish communities and Palestinian freedom are not opposing causes. It goes without saying that my thoughts are with the families of those taken hostage, and I hope that they will be returned safely to their loved ones. I also acknowledge that actions of the Israeli occupation forces are separate to the people of Israel and the Jewish community across the world, and I highlight the remarkable advocacy and teachings of many Jewish organisations and individuals calling for peace and safety. I also acknowledge that 7 October is not where this all began, but rather Palestinians have lived under occupation for 75 years. Violence can never justify violence, and nothing justifies the continued silence on Palestinian oppression. Weaponisation of these attacks to fuel the indiscriminate and wholesale killing of innocent Palestinians must not only be condemned but be stopped for good.

The Animal Justice Party represents animals, people and the planet. These atrocities impact all three. Our core values are kindness, equality, rationality and non-violence. What is occurring embodies none of these things. The distressing images of Palestinians rescuing animals from rubble, feeding dogs and cats in the street and treating the wounds of equines have reminded us that even for victims and in an impossible crisis, there is humanity and there is good. Even with nothing, people are continuing to extend their compassion. One of these people was Loay, a dedicated volunteer from Sulala Animal Rescue. He was killed on 8 October at just 19 years of age. While I acknowledge that as members in this place we have little bearing on conflict in the Middle East, we must use our platforms to do what is right and advocate for peace and for freedom, and I hope that our Premier can do so on behalf of not only the Victorian Parliament but all of the people that we represent, because the plight of Palestinians is a cause for liberation to all.

The PRESIDENT: Ms Purcell, the adjournment matter, I understand, is to the Premier, but it can only be an action that is under her remit, and obviously foreign affairs is not under the state government’s remit. If you change the action for her to advocate to the federal government to do the action –

Georgie PURCELL: Yes, President. I based it on the advice you gave Mr Puglielli last night.

The PRESIDENT: That shows me I should listen right from the start, then.

Georgie PURCELL: It is exactly the same words.

The PRESIDENT: You were right and I was right, and it is a good way to end the week.