A significant step in the right direction. AJDS has been advocating sanctions for a number of years. Part of any resolution between Israel and Palestine has to include an end to the occupation of the Occupied Palestinian Territories. The sanctioning of Israeli settlers and organisations that are responsible for intimidation, harassment, violence and the deaths of Palestinians is an important step by the federal government. We support this decision by Foreign Minister, Senator Wong.
https://www.foreignminister.gov.au/minister/penny-wong/media-release/human-right-sanctions-response-israeli-settler-violence-west-bank
AJDS made a submission to the Department of Foreign Affairs in May 2021. In it, the following was raised:
• Cease trade in military goods, including the purchase and sale of arm and security services unless there is a pressing humanitarian need (for example, disaster situations)
• Subject non-military goods and services (e.g. food products) from Israeli companies that are manufactured in the Occupied Territories to sanction unless they meet human rights standards and are labelled Product of the Occupied Territories.
• Cease commercial and other (e.g. charitable, academic) relations with Israeli companies and institutions that are headquartered in the Occupied Territories.
• Review existing relations with the State of Israel with an eye to imposing human rights criteria on existing joint-projects that might unduly exclude Palestinians from equal rights and opportunities.
Palestinian Authority (and Hamas in Gaza).
There are documented problems with human rights and the Palestinian Authority (and Hamas in Gaza). We also note that any relationship between Australian and Palestinian entities such as the Palestinian Authority should also be subject to a similar human rights assessment with respect to military, security, intelligence, and related services, and be subject to sanction if necessary.
Sanctions on Israeli extremists by the Australian Government
