Statement on the withdrawal of candidacy by Melissa Parke
14 April 2019
The Adelaide-based Australian Friends of Palestine Association is saddened that The Hon. Melissa Parke has withdrawn from standing for the West Australian seat of Curtin in the coming Federal election.
We have long admired Ms Parke's courageous stand on issues of human rights in Palestine. She has been a beacon of light in Parliament where few have dared to question Israel’s brutal 71-year occupation of Palestinian lands and cruel suppression of Palestinian lives and livelihoods.
Through her work with the United Nations, many visits to Palestine and comportment in Parliament, Ms Parkes has shown herself eminently qualified to educate other parliamentarians and the general populace about the sickening scenes of cruelty and humiliation she has witnessed at Israeli military checkpoints that control the movements of Palestinians. Ms Parkes should have been lauded for telling the truth and not shut down by the Zionist lobby prepared to smear her during this election campaign.
Polling has shown that the majority of Australians disapprove of Israel’s treatment of the Palestinians, which means that Ms Parke is not only on the right side of history but also is a true representative of Australians’ views on these issues.
The Australian Friends of Palestine Association stands in solidarity with Ms Parke and thanks her for her courageous stand on the issue of Palestine. We look forward to her continued advocacy in this area.
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For further information please contact:
Jeanie Lucas, Secretary, Australian Friends of Palestine Association
m. 0414 773918, e. secretary@afopa.com.au
