“Of course. How can you have a two-state solution when you refuse to acknowledge the right of one state to exist? It’s patently nonsense.”

There is an audio recording confirming that this is the answer he gave to the Australian Jewish News, and di Natale’s office subsequently admitted that the quote was accurate. He should adhered to that answer.

Sadly, di Natale subsequently came under pressure from the anti-Israel elements in The Greens (who subscribe to the non sequitur currently favoured by the Palestinian Authority that any acknowledgement that Israel is the national home of the Jewish people would somehow relegate its non-Jewish citizens to second-class status and compromise the Palestinian claim to a right of return for Palestinian ‘refugees’). Di Natale claimed that he had understood the question he was answering to be about whether he accepted Israel’s right to exist as an ‘Israeli State’ as distinct from a ‘Jewish State’. He asserted that the existence of a ‘Jewish state’ (as opposed to an ‘Israeli state’) is not conducive to a two-State solution to the Israel-Palestinian conflict and that he did not intend his answer to the Australian Jewish News to be construed as such, as it did not reflect Australian Greens policy.

It is ironic that even the outspokenly anti-Israel Greens Senator Lee Rhiannon is on the public record as having supported Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish State. She was a participant in a panel discussion with David Speers on Sky News’ “The Nation” on 14 April 2011. Towards the end of the program, Speers asked Rhiannon several questions about her support for boycotts, divestment and sanctions (BDS) against Israel, which concluded with the question, “Do you support a two-State solution?” Rhiannon answered “Yes”. Speers then asked “With a Jewish State alongside a Palestinian State?” and she replied “Yes, yes.” (See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4CbHAhGl2L0 from 45:20 onwards). Rhiannon confirmed this answer when questioned before a large audience at a ‘Politics in the Pub’ event in Sydney on 22 July 2011.

As reported in the AJN, the ECAJ wrote to di Natale on 1 June 2015 pointing out that “The Jewish people are, and always have been, both a faith community and a national community. (So too are the Sikhs, and possibly other groups). This is a fact which many people do not understand – or are unwilling to understand because it doesn’t suit their convenience or interests. But it is a fact nonetheless, and it has been accepted as proven in the jurisprudence of the western world.” The ECAJ further submitted:

“Some Palestinians argue that any denial of their peoplehood and right of self-determination is inherently racist. If that is true, then any denial of the peoplehood and right of self-determination of the Jewish people is equally racist. Pope Francis has now stated publicly that not recognizing Israel as Jewish is “antisemitic”: http://www.timesofisrael.com/not-recognizing-israel-as-jewish-is-anti-semitic-pope-says/”.

Di Natale responded in an email the following day stating: “I have never believed that the establishment of a ‘Jewish state’ (as opposed to an ‘Israeli state’) is conducive to this outcome and I absolutely do not support that goal.”

This was a deeply disappointing (and breathtakingly misconceived) answer. As the ECAJ replied: “The establishment of Israel as a Jewish State is not a “goal”. It has been the reality since Israel’s proclamation of independence in 1948….the UN General Assembly clearly and explicitly endorsed the establishment of “independent Arab and Jewish States” when it recommended the partition of the country in 1947. The partition resolution contains no fewer than 30 references to the “Jewish State’’ whose creation it authorised.

Under 3.3, from Short Term Goals, a demand for: ‘Australian, international and Israeli assistance programs in the Palestinian territories which together are sufficient to repair and rebuild Palestinian infrastructure, institutions, agriculture and development.’ –
Perhaps the Greens should take into account the many millions of dollars being poured into the Palestinian territories year after year, by the US, Europe and others, in assistance, which instead of being put to good use for the people is being spent on underground tunnels and armaments. Perhaps, too, they could consider the agricultural development that had been made by the Israelis and left intact on Israeli withdrawal from Gaza in 2005, which was immediately demolished by the Palestinians.

There is also mention of the need to promote a culture of justice, harmony and peace, particularly through education. –
This will not be as easy as it sounds, for are the Greens not aware of the ongoing, pervasive influence of hatred and animosity for Jews (not Israelis, Jews) taught comprehensively and specifically in Palestinian schools, from junior school classes and up. There are many videos available where this can be viewed and verified. Young children being taught to hate Jews and incited to kill them. Are the Greens aware at all of the Hand in Hand schools, through the auspices of the Jewish/Arab Education Centre, sprinkled throughout Israel? Integrated bilingual schools, with classes comprising an Arab and Jewish teacher, teaching in Hebrew and Arab both cultures and both perspectives. Although fewer in number than conventional schooling, they operate legitimately and legally under the Israeli Education Department. Pity the Palestinian leaders can’t bring themselves to consider another way, rather than to poison the minds of their children and propagate war.

Also, we see the ridiculous idea of compensating all the ‘Palestinian refugees’, which now amount to millions due to the unique situation of the Palestinians demanding inherited refugee status. Should we not also be looking at recompensing the million Jews, and their offspring, who had to flee as refugees from surrounding Arab countries to Israel from 1949 to the early 1950s? No word of that. Those ‘Palestinian’ people who fled Israel in 1948, and there were many who fled through fear alone – they were not forced, are no different to refugees all over the world, through the centuries, who have become displaced through the historical moments of the time they lived in for a variety of reasons.

The Greens will never amount to anything while they are so ideologically driven that they cannot bring themselves to see the whole before drawing up demands and resolutions. Their demands are ridiculously naive, and their political stance on the Israel/Palestinian issue is not balanced in any way.

In addition, it is clear that both Labor and the Liberaks will recognise the State of Palestine, albeit subject to particular circumstances.

And why Jacqui Lambie? Ricky Muir and Derryn the Human Headline will also be elected.

What is “religious freedom”?

Thank you for your reply, Michael. To me sound ethics involves a strong sense of social justice including religious freedom, COMBINED with respect for the right to life of all human beings from conception to natural death. That would exclude the “Curates Egg” party, the Greens. I too, am a bit put off by the RUAP for its overt religious overtones. Ethical issues should be discussed in the light of Natural Law which is a concept open to all.
To be frank, I am more inclined to give my informed vote to the individuals who support my views, some of whom are members of the parties I have named previously.

How do you define “ethically sound” Jennifer? I consider these organisations as verging on the lunatic fringe, if not a solid part of it. I’m actually surprised you left out Rise Up Australia Party.

I just rang the Foreign Ministers electorate office in WA and the Coalition policy on Palestine is a two state solution just like the ALP’s current policy is.

“All parties are in favour of religious ministers retaining the right to decide for themselves whether they wish to solemnise any marriage.”

Reform to the Marriage Act favouring consenting adults to marry, regardless of gender, will not force any rabbi to solemnise a union they disapprove of.

There is no slope, slippery or otherwise.