The B’nai B’rith Anti-Defamation Commission (ADC), Australia’s leading organisation fighting anti-Semitism and hatred in all its forms, has applauded the Australian government’s repudiation of the concluding statement from the Paris Peace conference. A spokesperson for the office of Foreign Minister Julie Bishop stated that “While the Australian Government was represented at the Paris conference, this does not mean we agree with every element of the final statement”. The spokesperson also reiterated the government’s stance that, “The most important priority must be a resumption of direct negotiations between the Israelis and the Palestinians for a two-state solution as soon as possible.”
Dr Dvir Abramovich, Chairman of the ADC, issued the following statement:
“We applaud Ms Bishop and the Australian government for once again standing up for Israel. We also commend the Foreign Minister for recognising that this misguided summit is a setback for peace and part of the ongoing demonization of Israel, that it sends the wrong message, and that it will only undermine the quest for a lasting reconciliation between Israelis and Palestinians. The fact that neither Israeli nor Palestinian representatives were part of this discussion further damaged the credibility of the gathering and carried the risks of widening the gulf between the two parties. As we have stated previously, the only road to resolving this conflict and to reaching a two-state solution is for the Palestinian people to remove Hamas from Gaza and agree to return to the proper framework of direct talks with Israel. Lamentably, this conference only encouraged the Palestinian leadership to believe that it can keep avoiding the hard path of face-to-face negotiations with Israel and that it can continue manipulating international institutions and mechanisms to achieve its aims.”
The B’nai B’rith Anti-Defamation Commission, founded in 1979, is Australia’s leading civil rights organization fighting racism through educational programs that combat bigotry, prejudice and all forms of hatred.
For further information please contact Dr Dvir Abramovich on (03) 9272 5677.