In the halls of Australian power, support for one of the world’s most oppressed people remains small, but is growing, writes Michael Brull.
On 28 November, 49 Federal politicians signed a petition urging the end of Israel’s ill-treatment of Palestinian children in the military detention system. The politicians in question are Senators and MPs, primarily from the ALP and the Greens, but also a few from the Nick Xenophon Team, and Andrew Wilkie.
No Coalition MPs or Senators signed the petition.
The petition makes several demands. It calls “for urgent action to end the ill-treatment of Palestinian children in the Israeli military detention system.” It concludes by calling “on the Israeli Government to comply with its obligations under the Convention on the rights of the child and to not arrest or detain Palestinian children unless this is a last resort, and if they are detained, to immediately institute protections for those children including that their safety and best interests are prioritised, and that they are permitted a fair trial.”
In effect, this call is symbolic. A minority of Australian progressive politicians signing a petition is unlikely to force the Israeli government to change long-standing policy. The primary effect, and interest of the petition is in drawing attention to certain issues.
Read the full article by Michael Brull at NewMatilda.com.