AFOPA exists to support the aspirations of Palestinians for justice, equality and human rights. As an organisation, we can’t play an impactful role in achieving a just and equitable peace for Palestinians without you – our members, supporters and like-minded organisations.

Your feedback is therefore critical to how we do this together and to inform our priorities and activities as well as how we engage with you.

We surveyed our members and supporters earlier this year. Overall, the survey responses indicate that you are appreciative of AFOPA’s work and that the organisation’s priorities and directions align well with your interests and expectations. Comments such as, “It’s a very hard task but I’m happy that you do what you do”, “I’m impressed with the work that is done”, and “Keep up the good work!” are consistent across the areas surveyed.

The Australian Friends of Palestine Association notes with interest recent reports that the Israeli government has extended the Palestinian fishing zone off the coast of Gaza, and allowed increased transportation of water, goods and building materials into Gaza. The Associated Press and the Times of Israel have quoted a statement from an Israeli military liaison officer saying these moves are “goodwill gestures”. These “gestures” were reported in the same week that the more commonplace gesture of Israeli Defence Force members shooting Palestinians was reported.

In the latest update from APAN…

“Last week, when the leader of the Opposition, Anthony Albanese stated that using the word apartheid with Israel was offensive – together we swung into action.

APAN contacted Albanese’s office directly, and you and nearly 1,000 other Palestinian supporters emailed Albanese and your Labor federal representatives.

To his credit, Anthony Albanese immediately agreed to sit down to talk. Bishop George Browning, APAN President, met with Albanese and raised our concerns. Albanese confirmed his support for Palestinian human rights and his commitment to Palestinian Recognition. And he has agreed to participate in a Zoom event to talk with Australian Palestinians."

Australian Friends of Palestine Association Chair Edie Bransbury has written to Federal Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese…

“Palestinians banned from streets where the Israeli Defence Force has installed Jewish settlers in houses from which Palestinians have been evicted, from schools reserved for Jewish children, from medical centres reserved for Jewish settlers and from public transport reserved for Jewish settlers,” she wrote. “The UN has passed resolutions deeming this forceful installation without compensation of Jewish settlers in Palestinian houses, and the policy of stealing Palestinian land to build new Jewish settlements, as illegal.”

“All Israeli policies relating to Palestinians, including the so-called Nation Law, discriminate on the basis of race, thus satisfying the definition of apartheid…”

“Journalist Gideon Levy regularly challenges the Israeli consensus in courageous work on the ground that brings the testimonies and stories of those who do not receive adequate exposure in the local media discussion – the voices of Palestinians in Judea, Samaria and in the past the Gaza Strip,” wrote the judges in their decision to award the prize. Levy “presents original and independent positions that do not surrender to convention or social codes, and in doing so enriches the public discourse fearlessly.”