Media Releases
Located below are Media Releases by AFOPA and other organisations in regards to local & worldwide events.
2011
3 June 2011 - Prof Noam Chomsky visit Adelaide 5 November 2011 to deliver Edward Said Memorial Lecture
30 March 2011 - Palestinian Land Day part of Australian BDS Campaign
Palestinian Land Day, which is commemorated every year on 30 March, is now an important part of the growing international Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) campaign against Israel for its treatment of the Palestinians. Palestinian Land Day marks the day six Arab citizens of Israel were killed by the Israeli army and police in the general strike of 1976.
They were demonstrating against the Israeli government’s announcement earlier in March 1976 of its plan to expropriate more than six million square metres of Arab-owned land in Galilee. This official Israeli strategy aimed at the Israeli takeover of Galilee has since been extended to cover the expropriation of many other millions of square metres of Palestinian land in the West Bank, a strategy that has been condemned around the world but continues with impunity.
2010
1. June 2nd 2010 - UN Human Rights Council Resolution Against Israeli Lethal Assualt
A resolution was passed by the UN Human Rights Council on June 2nd condemning the attacks by Israel. The Human Rights Council is an inter-governmental body within the UN system made up of 47 States responsible for strengthening the promotion and protection of human rights around the globe. The Council was created by the UN General Assembly on 15 March 2006 with the main purpose of addressing situations of human rights violations and make recommendations on them.
2. June 2nd 2010 - Israeli Lethal Assualt on Humanitarian Aid Flotilla
In a response to the lack of action, both vocal and diplomatic, by the Australian Government, as well as to offer it's general condemnation of what had occurred, AFOPA organised a Candlelight Vigil on the 2nd of June 2010 in response to these attacks.
2008
January 21st 2008 PCHR media release on Seige in Gaza
This document is a plea for help, and as it turns out quite foretelling of the tragedy to come.
2005
December 13th 2005- Christian Church Leaders' Call for Divestment
"Settlements are being established at a rate that far exceeds the withdrawal from Gaza and is turning the West Bank into multiple bantustans of Palestinian isolation and despair.
We join with the World Council of Churches in its concern for justice and peace in Palestine and Israel and its call this year, for responsible use of economic measures to ensure investments held by its member churches do not support – even unwittingly – this injustice and oppression."
2004
1. 14th September 2004 - National Coalition of Palestine Support Groups
Publishing results of nationwide questionnaire concerning the situation in the Occupied Territories of Palestine, and the actions of the Israeli Apartheid Regime.
2. 8th June 2004 - AFOPA Media Release Update
Information containing: Formation of National Coalition of Palestine Support Groups, Speeches by Executive Members, Fund Raising Success, Contributions to Charity work in Palestine, Peace Vigil, Future Events.
3. 23rd March 2004 - Assassination of Sheik Ahmad Yassin by Israeli Forces
Sheik Ahmand Yassin, founder and spiritual leader of Hamas, was killed instantly, along with two body guards and nine bystanders, in an Israeli attack on 22nd March 2004. The attack happened the at the time the Sheik was being wheeled out of an early morning prayer session. The UN Commission on Human Rights passed a resolution condemning the extrajudicial killing supported by votes from 31 countries.