AFOPA rejects anti-Semitism and other forms of racism. AFOPA exists to support the aspirations of Palestinians for justice, equality and human rights.

AFOPA advocates a peaceful path towards a future of justice, equality and security for both Israelis and Palestinians based on international law and UN resolutions.

Today, Monday 29 November 2021 is the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. This event is observed by the United Nations on or around 29 November each year, in accordance with mandates given by the General Assembly in its resolutions 32/40 B of 2 December 1977, 34/65 D of 12 December 1979, and subsequent resolutions adopted by the General Assembly on the question of Palestine.

The date of 29 November was chosen because of its meaning and significance to the Palestinian people. On that day in 1947, the General Assembly adopted resolution 181 (II), which came to be known as the Partition Resolution. That resolution provided for the establishment in Palestine of a “Jewish State” and an “Arab State”, with Jerusalem as a corpus separatum under a special international regime.

The Sydney Statement on Anti-Palestinianism was developed by the Arab Australian Federation in consultation with leading community figures and renowned advocates for Palestine from diverse backgrounds.

We support this statement, with the Australian Arab Federation, “in response to the incessant violations by Israel of the Palestinian people’s human, political, economic and national rights under international law, including their right to self-determination and nationhood.”

In April this year, AFOPA responded to an invitation by Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs to comment as part of the Government’s feasibility study on strengthening trade and investment with Israel.

The submission concludes that, from an Australian perspective, there is no apparent imperative for Australia to develop closer trading and investment links with Israel; the attraction to do so is limited, risks are involved, and public resources in Australia would more productively be spent in assessing the feasibility of trade and investment opportunities with other countries. Analysis of the available trade data and socio-political issues brings into question whether Australia’s active pursuit of closer business links with Israel is in the national interest.

This week:

• 12 Palestinians, including a 3-year-old boy, attacked and injured on their farms by Israelis from illegal settlements in the South Hebron area of the West Bank…

• UK Labour Party conference at Brighton passes motion condemning Israeli apartheid and calling for sanctions

• Covid-19 spike in Gaza exacerbated by Israeli authorities disrupting vaccine supplies

• Continued violations of al Aqsa mosque precinct.

"AFOPA calls on political parties in this country to take a stand …And on the Australian media to report on the shameful acts perpetrated every day against Palestinians…”