1004 Israel Folau, football superstar, to be sacked over anti-Gay remarks. ALP candidate quits after criticising Israel

Israel Folau,  football superstar, to be sacked over anti-Gay remarks.
ALP candidate quits after criticising Israel

Newsletter published on April 13, 2019

(1) Israel Folau, Australia's football superstar, to be sacked over
anti-Gay remarks. ALP candidate quits after criticising Israel
(2) Israel Folau tells Gays, "REPENT and turn away from your evil ways"
(3) Rugby Union & Rugby League bureaucrats say they will sack Israel Folau
(4) Australian PM condemns Folau; Wallabies major sponsor Qantas to pull
support
(5) New Zealand PM condemns Folau; Alan Jones supports him, citing Free
Speech
(6) Former ALP leader Mark Latham (now One Nation) backs Folau "hounded
by Leftist-PC media"
(7) Alan Jones condemns Rugby Australia over Israel Folau sacking
(8) England number eight Billy Vunipola defends 'liking' discriminatory
comments made by Folau
(9) Folau is one of Australia's few world class players; sacking him
will throw World Cup plans into disarray
(10) England star Billy Vunipola has refused to condemn Folau
(11) Melissa Parke quits after saying Israel's treatment of Palestinians
worse than Apartheid
(12) Jewish Lobby makes Labor Party dump Melissa Parke as as 'star
candidate' for Curtin
(13) Jewish advocates label WA Labor's star pick for Curtin 'extreme and
divisive'
(14) WA Labor senator slams influence of 'Israel lobby' on party's
Mid-East stance
(15) Founder of BDS, Palestinian activist Omar Barghouti, denied travel
to USA

(1) Israel Folau, Australia's football superstar, to be sacked over
anti-Gay remarks. ALP candidate quits after criticising Israel
- by Peter Myers, April 13, 2019

Recent comments made by Israel Folau, expressing a Christian
condemnation of homosexuality, would have been unexceptional in the
1950s and 60s, when we were a Christian nation.

But decades of Culture War waged by Far Leftists have destroyed our
traditional culture. White Australian men have been particularly
vilified and cowed.

Minorities have been empowered, but not ALL minorities; Jews and Gays
take precedence.

Leaders challenging Political Correctness are emerging from 'minority'
ranks, e.g. Marine Le Pen in France - 'Women' are considreed a minority.

In Australia, a Football Superstar of Tongan heritage has stood up for
traditional values, defying sporting bureaucrats and corporate sponsors.

He's the world's leading try-scorer in Super Rugby (RA), an elite sport.
But also has played Rugby League (ARL) and Australian Rules (AFL) at the
top level.

The worldwide media attack on him accuses him of Discrimination against
Gays. But the implication is that you CAN discriminate against
Christians - that's quite legal.

Sporting authorities have said that they'll sack him from the Australian
team due to play at the World Cup in Japan in five months.

But this will condemn the Wallabies to losing, disastrously.

The working class - Hillary's Deplorables - are likely to side with
Israel Folau. His sacking will be a consciousness-changing event, and
lead to a reappraisal of what the Gay movement means.

Sponsors and Authorities would rather that our team lose, than that
Political Incorrectness be allowed. But the working class will condemn
them, and turn away from the sport.

In our Federal election, the Jewish Lobby has made the Labor Party (ALP)
dump Melissa Parke as 'star candidate' for Curtin, because she said that
Israel's treatment of Palestinians is worse than Apartheid.

Both 'Jews' and 'Palestinians' consititute 'minorities'. But not all are
equal; you cannot offend Jews, because they have the money to enforce
their views.

Bob Carr, former Foreign Minister, said that Jewish donors expect the
Government to subcontract Mid-East policy to them. Similar behaviour in
the USA was labelled 'Corruption' by Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

The Palestinian founder of BDS, Omar Barghouti, has just been denied
travel to the USA, despite having a valid visa.

(2) Israel Folau tells Gays, "REPENT and turn away from your evil ways"

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-04-12/israel-folau-rugby-bodies-no-change-sacking-stance-meeting/10999214

Israel Folau meets Rugby Australia, NSW Rugby Union but no change in
plans to tear up his contract

Israel Folau has met with Rugby Australia (RA) and the New South Wales
Rugby Union (NSWRU) to discuss his social media posts on Friday but the
governing bodies said they still intended to terminate his contract.

The 30-year-old, one of Australia's few genuinely world-class players,
was informed on Thursday he would be sacked if he could offer no good
reason for a pair of controversial social media posts.

Referring to an article about Tasmania's decision to introduce
gender-optional birth certificates, Folau took to Twitter on Wednesday
afternoon to caution that "the devil has blindsided so many people in
this world, REPENT and turn away from your evil ways".

Some two hours later, Folau — who last year garnered widespread
criticism over similar comments — wrote on Instagram "those that are
living in sin will end up in hell unless you repent".

RA and NSWRU considered the posts to be discriminatory and said the
multi-million-dollar contract Folau signed in February to the end of
2022 would be torn up.

Folau, a fundamentalist Christian, has maintained a public silence since
posting the message on Instagram late on Wednesday but finally made
contact with his employers in Sydney on Friday.

"As the meeting was held in confidence between the player and his
employers, Rugby Australia and the NSW Rugby Union will not comment on
the discussions at the meeting," the bodies said in a statement.

"Following today's meeting the two organisations will update their
respective boards on the matter to consider next steps.

"Our joint position regarding Israel Folau is unchanged."

The Waratahs have no Super Rugby fixture this week, but the sacking of
Folau would throw the plans of Wallabies coach Michael Cheika into
disarray with only three months to go until the Rugby World Cup.

Israel Folau looks stony-faced during a Super Rugby game. PHOTO: This
isn't the first time Folau has come under fire for anti-gay social media
posts. (AAP: Lukas Coch) Folau escaped sanction when he posted similar
comments last year but RA took a much harder line when, having
repeatedly warned him against it, the player repeated the offence.

The fallout continued on Friday with numerous media columnists opining
on what the decision meant for the country, and politicians wading in.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who is a Pentecostal Christian like
Folau, said whether to sack him or not was a decision for only the rugby
authorities to make.

"Israel's comments were insensitive and it's important that when you're
in public life, you're just very mindful of being sensitive to other
Australians and that you speak with that empathy," he said.

Opposition leader Bill Shorten said the bodies had made the correct
decision.

"There is no freedom to perpetuate hateful speech," he told reporters in
Sydney.

"Some of the comments which have been seen are far closer to hateful
than I think appropriate for what people should be doing on social media."

Former Wallabies coach turned radio host Alan Jones said the decision
endangered free speech in Australia and had been driven by RA's concern
not to upset sponsors.

"It has nothing to do with Israel, or rugby, or religion, homosexuals,
or whatever. Where are we in this country on free speech?" he said.

"We've got an issue here because we're going down a very, very narrow
road here."

Last weekend while playing for the Waratahs, Folau scored his 60th try,
the most of any player in Super Rugby, breaking the record of former New
Zealand winger Doug Howlett.

His chances of switching back to rugby league in Australia were also
dashed late on Thursday with the governing body the Australian Rugby
League Commission (ARLC) ruling out any return to the sport.

"Israel Folau doesn't pass our inclusiveness culture, which is a policy
strongly supported by the ARLC," chairman Peter Beattie told the Sydney
Morning Herald.

"And after talking to some commissioners [on Thursday], we don't support
him playing rugby league again."

His best chances therefore lie offshore, although the chances of joining
French club Toulon appear to be non-existent, with their outspoken owner
Mourad Boudjellal criticising him in an interview in French newspaper
L'Equipe.

Wires/ABC

(3) Rugby Union & Rugby League bureaucrats say they will sack Israel Folau

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israel_Folau

Israel Folau (Tongan: Isileli Folau;[4] born 3 April 1989) is an
Australian former professional rugby player who played for the New South
Wales Waratahs in the Super Rugby. He has previously played professional
rugby league and Australian rules football. He is currently embroiled in
a scandal with Rugby Australia over social media posts exhibiting
homophobic comments.

Folau played rugby league for the Melbourne Storm in the National Rugby
League (NRL) from 2007 to 2008, where he broke the record for most tries
in a debut year. He then played with the Brisbane Broncos from 2009 to
2010. Playing as a wing or centre, Folau represented Queensland in the
State of Origin and Australia, becoming the youngest player to play for
both teams.

In 2011, Folau joined the Greater Western Sydney Giants in the
Australian Football League (AFL) and played for two seasons. In December
2012, Folau announced he was to switch codes again, this time for rugby
union, and signed a one-year contract with the Waratahs.[5] He made his
international debut for Australia in 2013 against the British & Irish
Lions. "Israel Folau Street" was named in his honour on October 2010 in
a suburb of Goodna, Ipswich, Queensland where Folau played junior rugby
league.[6][7][8][9]

Following homophobic comments made on his social media accounts in April
2019, Rugby Australia announced their intention to void Folau's contract
and remove him permanently from the Australian national team. That same
day the chairman of the Australian Rugby League, Peter Beattie,
announced that Folau would be banned from any NRL team in the
future.[10][11]

Folau was born in Minto, New South Wales to Tongan parents. He attended
Lurnea Public School and Westfield Sports High School before his family
moved to Brisbane, Queensland in 2004.

Religion and homosexuality Folau grew up as a Mormon,[57] but moved to
an being an active member of an Assemblies of God fellowship in 2011.[58]

In 2017, at the time of the Australian Marriage Law Postal Survey, Folau
said he would not support gay marriage.[59]

On 4 April 2018, in a post made on Instagram, when asked by another user
what God's plan for homosexuals was, Folau replied "HELL.. Unless they
repent of their sins and turn to God."[60][61] Folau subsequently wrote
a column explaining his views.[62] He cited his Christian faith when
explaining his views and denied that he is bigoted or homophobic.[63]
Rugby Australia's CEO, Raelene Castle, said that they accepted Folau's
position, though they did not agree with his views, and he would not be
sanctioned by the organisation.[64]

On 10 April 2019, Folau again posted comments on Instagram described as
anti-gay[65][66] and homophobic.[67][68] Rugby Australia announced their
intention to terminate his contract the next day "in the absence of
compelling mitigating factors", after repeated failed attempts to
contact him.[69][70]

This page was last edited on 12 April 2019, at 17:18 (UTC).

(4) Australian PM condemns Folau; Wallabies major sponsor Qantas to pull
support

https://www.news.com.au/sport/rugby/israel-folau-spotted-after-making-antigay-comments/news-story/88abfd35356fb859a0c39d031fafe787

Israel Folau reportedly plans to fight for his rugby career

Israel Folau is trying to stop the axe from falling on his rugby career
but Rugby Australia and the NSW Waratahs are not backing down.

James Matthey and wires news.com.au

APRIL 12, 20197:17PM

Israel Folau plans to fight for his career after meeting with Rugby
Australia (RA) officials to discuss his latest anti-gay comments.

Folau met with Rugby Australia powerbrokers, including CEO Raelene
Castle, and wants to salvage his career after the sport’s governing body
threatened to fire him. However, RA reportedly told the superstar it is
still intent on ripping up his contract.

Rugby Australia (RA) released a brief statement following their meeting
with Folau on Friday, confirming the former NRL and AFL star has not yet
convinced the governing body to overturn the organisation’s commitment
to terminate his contract.

"Rugby Australia and NSW Rugby Union have met with Israel Folau in
Sydney today," RA stated.

"As the meeting was held in confidence between the player and his
employers, Rugby Australia and the NSW Rugby Union will not comment on
the discussions at the meeting.

"Following today’s meeting the two organisations will update their
respective boards on the matter to consider next steps.

"Our joint position regarding Israel Folau is unchanged."

NSW Rugby later announced Folau had been stood down from all player
duties until further notice.

The Waratahs have the bye this weekend.

RA released a statement on Thursday saying it plans to terminate the
Wallabies star’s contract after he sparked controversy by posting a
message on Instagram declaring "hell awaits" homosexuals unless they
repent for their "sins".

Folau was seen in public for the first time since the scandal broke when
Channel 9 cameras spotted him at a cafe in Sydney’s eastern suburbs with
his wife and two other men on Friday. But the 30-year-old wasn’t in a
talkative mood when approached by the network’s reporter Hannah Sinclair.

Asked how he felt about the possibility of losing his job or if he
regrets his actions, Folau remained silent as he stepped into a car. ...

Folau has been slammed for his comments as sports stars, sponsors and
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison took aim at the Waratahs flyer.

"I thought they were terribly insensitive comments," Mr Morrison said in
a TV interview with the ABC.

Wallabies major sponsor Qantas, who threatened to pull its support last
year following a series of provocative posts from Folau, also hit out
over his latest act and former teammate Drew Mitchell told Macquarie
Sports Radio Rugby Australia has been left with no choice but to sack him.

Australian UFC star Tai Tuivasa was one of many who blasted Folau on
social media, writing: "You need a hiding ... I’ve seen you out blind as
a skunk carrying on now you wanna be all churchy."

And as speculation mounts about what Folau will do if punted by RA, it
seems playing French rugby for Toulon isn’t a viable option after the
team’s owner Mourad Boudjellal gave the Wallabies star a whack.

"The guy is a moron, he must leave. Or you have to buy him a brain,"
Boudjellal said in an interview with L’Equipe.

Sport Australia boss Kate Palmer commended Rugby Australia’s strong
stance against discrimination and vilification and urged all sports to
follow suit. She says RA’s plan to tear up Folau’s multimillion-dollar
contract is a big step to ensuring safer sporting environments for all
Australians.

"Discrimination is unacceptable and cannot be tolerated in any sport or
recreation environment, at whatever level," Ms Palmer said.

"Everyone is entitled to their own views but expressing divisive and
discriminatory beliefs is harmful to sport and the broader Australian
community.

"When people of influence use their public profiles to demean and
discriminate, we cannot allow such divisive comments to go unchecked.

"As a sporting industry, we must stand together and call out against any
form of discrimination whether it is based on sexuality, race, gender or
disability."

The NRL has also put to bed any suggestions Folau will return to the
code where he first made a name for himself.

ARLC chairman Peter Beattie said the dual international failed the
character test and the league would not register a contract.

"Israel Folau fails the NRL’s inclusiveness culture, which is a policy
strongly supported by the ARLC," Mr Beattie told AAP. "The ARLC
therefore would not support his registration to play NRL."

Folau played 91 matches for Melbourne and Brisbane as well as eight
State of Origins and eight Tests before switching to the AFL and rugby
union.

With AAP

(5) New Zealand PM condemns Folau; Alan Jones supports him, citing Free
Speech

https://www.news.com.au/sport/rugby/israel-folau-comments-slammed-reaction-to-contract-termination/news-story/d718d14bb2bf87b85972909d5238d608

Jacinda Ardern slams Israel Folau’s anti-gay comments

Israel Folau has found an ally in broadcast heavyweight Alan Jones after
Rugby Australia vowed to terminate the contract of the Wallabies star
after he posted an image which included anti-gay sentiment to Instagram
this week.

Folau, 30, was widely slammed for calling on "drunks, homosexuals,
adulterers, liars, fornicators, thieves, atheists and idolaters" to
repent for their sins or else "hell awaits" them.

But Jones, a former coach of our national rugby team, is pointing the
finger at Rugby Australia.

"Rugby Australia are only worried about the quids, they’re only worried
about the sponsorship," Jones said on his 2GB radio show on Friday morning.

"That’s why they asked Israel to sign a contract in which he wouldn’t
say this and he wouldn’t say that and that his views would be consistent
with (Rugby Australia sponsor) Qantas.

"He’s made comments about religion — who will end up heaven and who will
end up in hell. Who cares? It’s an opinion. I don’t necessarily agree
with what he said, by the way, but a lot of people don’t agree with what
I say.

"We’re going down a very, very narrow road here and this has gone on and
on and on this crap. I’m telling you, out there people are terrified of
saying anything. They are frightened, they don’t know what they can say.

"We’re on a slippery slope here ... it’s got nothing to do with Israel,
or rugby, or religion, or homosexuals, or whatever. Where are we in this
country on free speech?"

More support came in for Folau with English rugby flanker Billy Vunipola
defended his "like" for the initial post and backed Folau’s view. ...

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has also taken aim at Folau,
declaring his comments "damaging".

Asked at a press conference about Folau’s comments, the popular PM was
quick to condemn the statements.

"Obviously at a personal level I clearly don’t agree with what he said,
and (I’m) very mindful of the fact that he is for many a role model.
He’s a person in a position of influence and I think that with that
comes responsibility," Ardern said.

"I’m particularly mindful of young people who are members of our rainbow
community, there is a lot of vulnerability there. As I say, I totally
disagree with what he’s said and the way he’s using his platform.

"Ultimately these are matters for Australia, not for us, but we can hold
our views on what he’s said."

Folau’s post on Tuesday was not the first time he has published
homophobic rhetoric on social media.

In a caption, Folau added: "Those that are living in Sin will end up in
Hell unless you repent. Jesus Christ loves you and is giving you time to
turn away from your sin and come to him."

Wallabies players Samu Kerevi and Allan Alaalatoa have liked Folau’s
post, but there is no suggestion they condone the message being spread."

Folau also posted on Twitter with the same but linking to a news
bulletin about Tasmania making the inclusion of gender optional on birth
certificates.

(6) Former ALP leader Mark Latham (now One Nation) backs Folau "hounded
by Leftist-PC media"

https://twitter.com/RealMarkLatham/status/1116108866880593920

Real Mark Latham ?

I stand with Israel Folau in defending his right to free speech,
expressing views consistent with his legitimate religious beliefs. That
a footy player can be hounded by Leftist-PC media this way is a
disgrace. It's a reason why I will be introducing Religious Freedom Bill
in NSW

(7) Alan Jones condemns Rugby Australia over Israel Folau sacking
https://www.2gb.com/alan-jones-condemns-rugby-australia-over-israel-folau-sacking-heres-why/

Alan Jones condemns Rugby Australia over Israel Folau sacking… here’s why

April 12, 2019

Rugby Australia will rip up Israel Folau’s contract after he posted
another homophobic rant on social media.

The Wallabies and Waratahs player posted an image on Instagram on
Wednesday night saying homosexuals must repent or they will go to hell.

It comes almost a year to the day after Folau was reprimanded by Rugby
Australia CEO Raelene Castle for a similar post.

The game’s governing body has been unable to contact the 30-year-old
since and has indicated it will terminate his multi-million dollar
contract (full statement below).

Alan Jones has condemned Rugby Australia, saying the decision has
"completely corrupted" free speech in this country.

"We’ve got an issue here because we’re going down a very, very narrow
road here.

"This has gone on and on and on this crap. Out there, people now are
terrified of saying anything, they don’t know what they can say.

"It’s got nothing to do with Israel, or Rugby, or religion, or
homosexuals. Where are we in this country on free speech?" ...

(8) England number eight Billy Vunipola defends 'liking' discriminatory
comments made by Folau
https://au.eurosport.com/rugby/billy-vunipola-stands-firm-after-liking-controversial-israel-folau-comments_sto7225604/story.shtml

Vunipola stands firm after 'liking' controversial Folau comments By
Eurosport 8 hours ago 0 England number eight Billy Vunipola on Friday
defended himself for 'liking' discriminatory comments made by Australia
fullback Israel Folau on social media. Folau, one of Australia's few
world class players, was informed by Rugby Australia on Thursday he
would be sacked if he could offer no good reason for a social media post
that said gay people would go to "hell" if they did not "repent".

Vunipola said he had been told by three people to withdraw his apparent
support to Folau's post.

"So this morning I got 3 phone calls from people telling me to 'unlike'
the @izzyfolau post. This is my position on it," Vunipola wrote on
Instagram.

"I don't HATE anyone neither do I think I'm perfect. There just comes a
point when you insult what I grew up believing in that you just say
enough is enough, what he's saying isn't that he doesn't like or love
those people."

(9) Folau is one of Australia's few world class players; sacking him
will throw World Cup plans into disarray

https://www.sbs.com.au/news/folau-comments-create-headaches-for-ra-cheika-ahead-of-world-cup

Folau comments create headaches for RA, Cheika ahead of World Cup Folau
comments create headaches for RA, Cheika ahead of World Cup (Reuters)

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Israel Folau's use of social media has not only once
again put his rugby union career in jeopardy but also given Wallabies
coach Michael Cheika another headache as the Rugby World Cup approaches.
Folau, a fundamentalist Christian, posted a meme on Instagram on
Wednesday that said gay people and others he perceived to be "living in
sin" would be condemned to "hell" if they failed to "repent".

It was denounced as "unacceptable" by both Rugby Australia and his state
team the New South Wales Waratahs and has been referred him to their
integrity unit.

It is the second time in 12 months that Folau has created controversy
for Rugby Australia by using social media to express his personal beliefs.

Last April he made similar comments, which caused extreme discomfort at
Rugby Australia as they conducted negotiations with him over a new
contract while also dealing with key sponsors threatening to withdraw
their backing.

Folau, Australia's best known player, escaped sanctions but was reminded
by RA chief executive Raelene Castle of his responsibilities on social
media and in February signed a contract extension until 2022.

His latest comments, however, have drawn calls for his contract to be
torn up five months out from the World Cup.

"Israel Folau has to go, and will go ... Rugby Australia simply has no
choice," Wallabies lock turned progressive media commentator Peter
Fitzsimons wrote in the Sydney Morning Herald.

"They cannot go through one more time the agony of last year when
Folau's social media comments trumpeting that gays would go to hell, saw
rugby lose sponsors, fans, and support.

"Then it took three weeks for Folau to pull his head in, and it seemed
like he got it: that you couldn't be a standard bearer for the inclusive
game of rugby and put out bigoted nastiness like that.

"This time, it won't take three weeks. Rugby must surely move quickly,
or be made to look ridiculous."

Any such move, however, would throw Cheika's World Cup plans into
disarray with the former rugby league international one of the few world
class players available to him.

The 1.94m tall Folau, who also played two seasons of top-level Australia
Rules football, is one of the best players in the world under the high
ball, a tactic that is likely to be used extensively in Japan.

An elusive and dangerous runner, Folau only last weekend became the
highest try-scorer in Super Rugby when he crossed for his 60th try
against the Auckland Blues.

After winning just four of 13 tests last season, the Wallabies are
already under pressure to at least repeat their exploits from the 2015
World Cup, when Cheika led them to the final against New Zealand.

Despite efforts to develop depth, Cheika also only has one other player
truly comfortable at fullback -- Dane Haylett-Petty -- to call on if
Folau is fired or he walks away, something he said he was willing to do
last year.

(Reporting by Greg Stutchbury in Wellington; Editing by Nick Mulvenney)

SOURCE REUTERS

(10) England star Billy Vunipola has refused to condemn Folau

https://www.theroar.com.au/2019/04/13/where-might-israel-folau-play-next/

England star Billy Vunipola has refused to condemn Folau

https://rugby365.com/countries/australia/england-star-sides-with-folau

FRI 12 APR 2019

England star sides with Folau

Under fire Wallaby Israel Folau has received support from within the
players’ ranks.

England’s Billy Vunipola has refused to condemn Folau, following a row
that has left the Australian facing the sack just months before the
World Cup.

The deeply religious Folau held talks with Rugby Australia boss Raelene
Castle on Friday, a day after she said she intends to fire him, barring
mitigating circumstances, for posting on Instagram that "Hell awaits"
homosexuals.

But the meeting with the Waratahs fullback, who was embroiled in a
similar controversy last year, did nothing to alter the governing body’s
stance.

England and Saracens No.8 Vunipola said he had been contacted by people
telling him to ‘unlike’ Folau’s post.

"So this morning I got 3 phone calls from people telling me to ‘unlike’
the @izzyfolau post. This is my position on it," he said on his
Instagram page.

"I don’t HATE anyone neither do I think I’m perfect. There just comes a
point when you insult what I grew up believing in that you just say
enough is enough, what he’s saying isn’t that he doesn’t like or love
those people."

In an apparent show of support to his fellow Christian, Vunipola states:
"He’s saying how we live our lives needs to be closer to how God
intended them to be. Man was made for woman to procreate that was the
goal no?"

England’s Rugby Football Union said it would be meeting with Vunipola,
like Folau of Tongan heritage, to discuss his comments. "Rugby is an
inclusive sport and we do not support these views. We will be meeting
with Billy to discuss his social media posts," an RFU spokeswoman said.

Vunipola’s mother is Iesinga Vunipola, a Methodist minister, and the
26-year-old has repeatedly spoken of the strength he draws from his faith.

His recent career has been interrupted by a series of significant
injuries but he appeared throughout England’s recent Six Nations
campaign. ...

Sources: AFP & AAP

(11) Melissa Parke quits after saying Israel's treatment of Palestinians
worse than Apartheid

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-04-12/labor-candidate-for-curtin-melissa-park-withdraws-from-race/10999526

Labor's candidate for Curtin, Melissa Parke, withdraws from federal
election race Updated about 8 hours ago

Labor's candidate for the West Australian seat of Curtin, Melissa Parke,
has pulled out of the contest after reports she told a public meeting
last month that Israel's treatment of Palestinians was "worse than the
South African system of apartheid".

Key points: Melissa Parke has withdrawn as Labor's candidate for Curtin
in WA Ms Parke was previously the federal member for Fremantle but
resigned 2016 She says her views are well known but does not want to be
a distraction during the campaign In a statement, Ms Parke said her
views on this issue were well-known, but that she does not want to
distract from Labor's election campaign.

"I've had 20 years' experience in international relations and law
including living and working in the Middle East," she said.

"My views are well-known.

"But I don't want them to be a running distraction from electing a Labor
government which will take urgent and strong action on climate change.

Ms Parke was the minister for international development in the Rudd
government.

She resigned as the federal member for Fremantle in 2016 after nine
years in the seat, saying she wanted to travel less and be closer to her
family.

She was previously a lawyer with the United Nations before being
preselected to the traditionally safe Labor seat.

There was speculation Ms Parke's preselection would force the Liberals
to divert precious resources to defend the traditionally safe seat.

Curtin has been held by Ms Bishop, an outgoing MP and former foreign
affairs minister, since 1998 and is one of the safest Liberal seats in
the state.

Withdrawal a 'setback' for Labor campaign Political analyst Peter
Kennedy said Ms Parke's withdrawal was a setback for the Labor campaign.

"Obviously the Liberal, Celia Hammond, is the favourite, but with a high
profile candidate like Melissa Parke Labor hoped to poll very well," he
said.

"I think Melissa Parke's views on those controversial issues are well
known, and they were her views when she was in the parliament — and also
at the time that she resigned.

"So I think that on those issues she's simply being consistent, and I
guess the Labor Party should have been aware of that.

"It'll be very hard for Labor to find a high-profile candidate like
Melissa Parke in such a short space of time so I think the party will be
battling to achieve the vote that it might have achieved if Melissa
Parke had stayed in the race."

Mr Kennedy said it was a good strategic move for Ms Parke to bow out early.

"I'd be surprised if it had repercussions beyond WA really, but
obviously Labor needs to be cautious on this issue, it doesn't want the
issue blowing up and detracting from the election campaign," he said.

"Melissa Parke's views on those issues, I guess, have been controversial
and have been at odds with some views within the Labor Party itself, and
if she had stayed in the race there's a possibility that it could have
become an issue in the Curtin electorate.

"So by bowing out now and giving the Labor Party the opportunity to
obtain a new candidate — albeit at short notice — I guess it removes
that issue as a potential controversy."

(12) Jewish Lobby makes Labor Party dump Melissa Parke as as 'star
candidate' for Curtin

https://www.smh.com.au/federal-election-2019/melissa-parke-quits-as-labor-s-curtin-star-candidate-over-israel-remarks-20190412-p51dqz.html

Melissa Parke quits as Labor's Curtin 'star candidate' over Israel remarks

By Nathan Hondros April 12, 2019 — 8.11pm

Labor's star candidate for Julie Bishop's seat of Curtin quit on Friday
night after the party entered into crisis talks over remarks she made
about the Israel and Palestine conflict.

It is understood Melissa Parke withdrew her candidacy after reports she
told a group of pro-Palestinian activists last month that Australia
should recognise a Palestinian state and that Israel's settlements were
akin to China's island building activity in the South China Sea. Labor's
candidate for Curtin Melissa Parke has raised the ire of the Jewish
community with her strident support for Palestine.

In the speech she also took aim at Israel's influence in Australian
politics and said there was no doubt Palestinian rocket attacks on
Israel, while illegal under international law, were "a reaction to and a
consequence of decades of brutal occupation".

Ms Parke made unverified claims about incidents of cruelty she said had
been perpetrated by Israelis at checkpoints.

"One case I remember vividly, a pregnant refugee woman was ordered at a
checkpoint in Gaza to drink a bottle of bleach," she said.

"It burnt out all her throat and insides. Fortunately her baby was saved.

"Another refugee was forced to put her baby through the X-ray machine."

Despite claiming she supported current Labor policy on Israel and
Palestine earlier this week, on Friday night Ms Parke said she would
quit the race so her views wouldn't be a distraction.

"I've had 20 years experience in international relations and law
including living and working in the Middle East," she said

"My views are well known.

"But I don’t want them to be a running distraction from electing a Labor
Government, which will take urgent and strong action on climate change.

"That’s why I have decided to withdraw my candidacy.

"I look forward to working and supporting the party in other ways."

The remarks have been widely circulated throughout Jewish communities on
the east coast and it is understood Victorian Labor are particularly
concerned about the seat of Macnamara, which has a large number of
Jewish voters and which will be vacated by retiring MP Michael Danby.

"There are already 137 nations that recognise the state of Palestine,
that is more than 70 per cent of the world," Ms Parke said to a meeting
of the WA Labor Friends of Palestine in March.

"And, inshallah [Arabic for 'God willing'], Australia will join that
consensus once we have a Federal Labor government.

"It's also time finally for Australia to support an end to the brutal
occupation of Palestine and for the right of return of the Palestinian
refugees."

Ms Parke, a former lawyer for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency
for Palestine Refugees in Gaza, said Australia had to break away from
its "strategic dependence" on the United States and recognise Palestine
as a state, which is contrary to Labor policy.

WAtoday also revealed earlier this week WA Labor senator and Senate
Deputy President Sue Lines told the same meeting of pro-Palestinian
activists that a powerful "Israel lobby" had been influencing her
party's policy on Palestine and peace in the Middle East.

Senator Lines said policy in the area had stalled because "the Israeli
lobby is so powerful within the party and outside of the party". Related
Article Labor's candidate for Curtin Melissa Parke has raised the ire of
the Jewish community with her strident support for Palestine. Australia
votes Jewish advocates label WA Labor's star pick for Curtin 'extreme
and divisive'

Labor had been looking to draw Liberal resources to the seat of Curtin
in WA through Ms Parke's high-profile candidacy after the retirement of
Ms Bishop.

Curtin, which the Liberals hold by a margin of 20.7 per cent, is one of
the safest in the country, but sources have suggested the selection of
conservative Celia Hammond and the retirement of the Ms Bishop could
reduce the party's margin.

Ms Parke was a human rights lawyer before entering Parliament in 2007
and a junior minister for several months before Kevin Rudd lost office
in 2013.

She was a strident critic of the offshore detention of asylum seekers
and delivered several speeches excoriating the Coalition's "stop the
boats" politics, even denouncing her own party for its support of the
government's immigration policies.

In her outgoing speech in 2016, she said the government "falsely accuses
asylum seekers of arriving illegally when, as observed by the United
Nations and the Australian Human Rights Commission among others, it is
Australia that is violating its legal obligations".

(13) Jewish advocates label WA Labor's star pick for Curtin 'extreme and
divisive'

https://www.smh.com.au/politics/western-australia/jewish-advocates-label-wa-labor-s-star-pick-for-curtin-extreme-and-divisive-20190409-p51cgm.html

By Nathan Hondros

April 10, 2019 — 6.00am

The Executive Council of Australian Jewry has slammed WA Labor's
decision to run former Fremantle MP Melissa Parke in a bid to win Julie
Bishop's seat of Curtin.

Ms Parke, who has been an outspoken defender of Palestine and a
supporter of an economic and cultural boycott of Israel, was chosen by
Labor on the weekend to contest the blue-ribbon seat in the hope her
high profile would divert Liberal resources away from its marginal seat
campaigns. Labor's candidate for Curtin Melissa Parke has raised the ire
of the Jewish community with her strident support for Palestine.

WAtoday has obtained audio of a speech Ms Parke delivered just a month
ago at the launch of WA Labor Friends of Palestine in which she said
Australia should recognise a Palestinian state and likened Israel's
settlements to China's island building activity in the South China Sea.

She also took aim at Israel's influence in Australian politics and said
there was no doubt Palestinian rocket attacks on Israel, while illegal
under international law, were "a reaction to and a consequence of
decades of brutal occupation".

Ms Parke, a former lawyer for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency
for Palestine Refugees in Gaza, said Australia had to break away from
its "strategic dependence" on the United States and recognise Palestine
as a state, which is contrary to Labor policy.

"There are already 137 nations that recognise the state of Palestine,
that is more than 70 per cent of the world," she said.

"And, inshallah [Arabic for 'God willing'], Australia will join that
consensus once we have a Federal Labor government.

"It's also time finally for Australia to support an end to the brutal
occupation of Palestine and for the right of return of the Palestinian
refugees."

ECAJ chief executive Alex Ryvchin said he had conveyed his concerns
about Ms Parke to several Labor figures.

He said Ms Parke had the "inglorious distinction" of being the first,
and only, Labor MP to publicly endorse the Boycott, Divestment,
Sanctions (BDS) campaign, which seeks to force Israel to withdraw from
occupied or contested territories and aims at "the complete and total
isolation of the state of Israel and to dismantle the national home of
the Jewish people".

"BDS was rightly condemned as a form of antisemitism by Julie Bishop,
who Ms Parke is now seeking to replace as the federal member for
Curtin," Mr Ryvchin said.

"BDS has also expressly been repudiated by the Australian Labor Party
and rejected as national policy even by the Greens.

"It is regrettable that such an extreme and divisive figure should
receive the endorsement of the Australian Labor Party, particularly at a
time when it is vital to strengthen the political centre and diminish
the appeal of low populism and false and polarising rhetoric."

In her speech to Palestinian supporters, which was held in the Perth
offices of the United Voice union, Ms Parke said the discrimination
experienced by Palestinians in Israel was because of a "fully fledged
system of Apartheid".

"It's absurd but true that an Australian Jew who's never lived in Israel
has more rights in Israel than a Palestinian who was born there," she said.

"A false narrative sold to the western world is that Israel is a beacon
of western democracy and human rights."

Ms Parke said Israel "propagates the myth that it is a small country
that just wants to live in peace".

"Sounds like a David and Goliath scenario, only in this case, Israel is
the Goliath," she said.

"The homemade rockets fired indiscriminately from Gaza towards and into
Israel, are absolutely unacceptable and illegal under international law,
but there is no doubt that they are a reaction to and a consequence of
decades of brutal occupation.

"And they are no match for the combined power of an elite and
well-resourced army, navy and air force." Related Article Israeli Prime
Minister and head of the Likud party Benjamin Netanyahu at a market in
Tel Aviv. World election Netanyahu vows to start annexing the West Bank
in a bid to rally the Right

Ms Parke said the only reason Israel had not been held to account was
the "unconditional support it receives from the United States".

She said peace negotiations were not credible when "presided over by a
superpower whose support leans heavily to one side".

"If we are truly concerned as a country about foreign influence in
Australia, we need to look not only at China, but also Israel, whose
influence on our political system and foreign policy is substantial," Ms
Parke said.

"To be truly effective on the international stage, Australia needs to
break away from its policy of strategic dependence on the US, which has
led us into disastrous wars in Vietnam and Iraq and to foreign and
defence policy positions counter to our own interests, including
unconditional support for Israel.

"In short, Australia needs a truly independent foreign policy and I know
this is what Shadow Foreign Minister Penny Wong has been advocating for
since she came into this position."

A spokesman for Ms Wong said Labor was a strong supporter of the state
of Israel and that would never change.

"The 2018 ALP conference resolution makes clear Labor’s support for a
two state solution, which recognises the right of Israel and Palestine
to exist within secure and recognised borders," he said.

"It recognises the desire of this conference to recognise Palestine as a
state, but makes clear that is a matter for a future Labor Government.
Related Article Former Fremantle MP and asylum seeker advocate Melissa
Parke is seeking another shot at Federal Parliament. Australia votes
Race to replace Julie Bishop heats up as Labor punts on 'star candidate'
Melissa Parke

"Labor does not support the BDS movement. A resolution of the
Israeli-Palestinian conflict will only come from open dialogue and
discussion between the parties, not from a policy of exclusion."

Ms Parke did not respond to specific questions but, in a statement
released on Tuesday by Labor's campaign headquarters, she said: "I
support the current Labor policy".

In 2017, Ms Parke was one of 60 prominent Australians who signed a
letter opposing the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's visit to
Australia.

She was the MP for Fremantle from 2007 to 2016 and served briefly as
international development minister in the months before Labor lost
office in 2013.

(13) WA Labor senator slams influence of 'Israel lobby' on party's
Mid-East stance

https://www.watoday.com.au/politics/western-australia/wa-labor-senator-slams-influence-of-israel-lobby-on-party-s-mid-east-stance-20190410-p51cz4.html

By Nathan Hondros April 11, 2019 — 8.45am

A WA Labor senator has taken aim at an "Israel lobby" she says is
influencing her party's policy on Palestine and peace in the Middle East.

Addressing the launch of WA Labor Friends of Palestine in March, Senator
Sue Lines said Labor's Israel-Palestine policy had stalled because of
the lobbyists' clout.

"Sadly, Israel-Palestine is one of those areas where it's hard for
[Labor] to move forward," she said.

"Not so much for those of us who are supporters of Palestine, but
because the Israeli lobby is so powerful within the party and outside of
the party and it really does impact on the sort of movement we've been
able to make in our policy."

Senator Lines said former Labor foreign minister Bob Carr helped make
inroads into changing Labor policy towards Israel, and the party's
recent national conference had resolved to recognise a Palestinian state
under the next federal Labor government.

She said the formation of a West Australian pro-Palestine group was
especially important for WA Labor.

"The Labor party in WA is pretty conservative, there's a few of us who
are not, but we are more conservative here and the Israeli lobby in the
Western Australian party is very strong," she said.

Executive Council of Australian Jewry chief-executive Alex Ryvchin said
he was disappointed to hear "these sorts of dog-whistle allusions to
supposed Israel lobby influence over Australian politics coming from an
Australian senator".

"It is always easy to play to people’s fears and prejudices when seeking
to explain why a preferred policy position has failed to win mainstream
support," he said.

"The reality is that support for Israel in Australia exists for a great
number of reasons, including Israel’s contribution to the world in
medicine, technology, security and the environment, all of which improve
the lives of Australians in ways that we could scarcely imagine.

Executive Council of Australian Jewry chief executive Alex Ryvchin.
Executive Council of Australian Jewry chief executive Alex Ryvchin.

"It is because of Israel’s democratic character and because it is a
country of immense cultural and historic worth that survives despite
daily threats on its existence."

He urged Senator Lines to avoid statements which he said were divisive
and validated the "hatreds and conspiracy theories" of extreme elements
in society.

At the March meeting of pro-Palestinian activists, Labor's Curtin
candidate Melissa Parke likened Israel's settlements to China's island
building activity in the South China Sea, and denounced Israel's
influence in Australian politics.

"If we are truly concerned as a country about foreign influence in
Australia, we need to look not only at China, but also Israel, whose
influence on our political system and foreign policy is substantial," Ms
Parke said.

"To be truly effective on the international stage, Australia needs to
break away from its policy of strategic dependence on the US, which has
led us into disastrous wars in Vietnam and Iraq and to foreign and
defence policy positions counter to our own interests, including
unconditional support for Israel.

"In short, Australia needs a truly independent foreign policy and I know
this is what Shadow Foreign Minister Penny Wong has been advocating for
since she came into this position."

At WA Labor's 2017 state conference, a resolution accusing Israel of
sabotaging peace talks was defeated after a group led by pro-Israel
state MP Steve Price lobbied against its adoption.

Instead, WA Labor had resolved to support "the recognition and right of
lsrael and Palestine to exist within secure and recognised borders".

Fremantle MP Josh Wilson, who also addressed the meeting of
pro-Palestine activists, said Labor's recent resolution to recognise a
Palestinian state was a "great and important and long-overdue achievement".

He said people were beginning to feel as though a two-state solution
would never be achieved, even though Labor's previous resolution did
acknowledge the right of both Israel and Palestine to exist "within
secure and recognised borders".

"There are a lot of people there who say quite openly that the only fork
in the path, the only opportunities in the future, are either a
bi-national democratic state in which everyone – Palestinians and
Israelis – have full civil, political and democratic rights together or
it is a contiunuation forever and ever of the military occupation in an
Apartheid state," Mr Wilson said.

In a statement released by the Federal Labor campaign, Senator Lines
said she now supported Labor's position on Israel and Palestine.

"I support the Labor Party’s policy and believe the resolution of the
Israeli-Palestinian conflict will only come from open dialogue and
discussion between the parties, not from a policy of exclusion," she said.

But in March, Senator Lines said a two-state solution was not
achievable, even though it was "a position Labor has held for some time".

WA Labor was contacted for comment.

(15) Founder of BDS, Palestinian activist Omar Barghouti, denied travel
to USA

https://mondoweiss.net/2019/04/movement-congress-circulates/

Founder of BDS movement is denied entry to the U.S. — as Congress
circulates bills to curtail BDS Activism

Allison Deger on April 11, 2019 13

On Wednesday the man regarded as the founder of the Boycott, Divestment
and Sanctions movement targeting Israel (BDS), Palestinian activist Omar
Barghouti, headed to the airport outside of Tel Aviv intending to embark
on a U.S. speaking tour and attend the wedding of a relative. Despite
possessing a valid visa through 2021, he was prevented from boarding.

According to a statement released by the Arab American Institute (AAI),
the group sponsoring his talks, Barghouti was told his travel block was
due to an "immigration matter." Airline staff told him they had orders
from the U.S. Consulate in Tel Aviv and and U.S. immigration services
not to let him on the plane.

The denial sparks questions whether legislation circling on Capital Hill
to curtail boycotts against Israel has come with a shadow policy to
prevent its most vocal advocates from entering the country.

Speaking over Skype to an audience in Washington DC today for a
discussion moderated by the Atlantic’s Peter Beinart, Barghouti said he
believes the travel ban was imposed "by Israel directly or by proxy by
the United States" to "silence human rights defenders in the BDS
movement" whether they are "Palestinian, Israeli, or international human
rights defenders."

He added, "They are resorting to more McCarthyite, more repressive
intimidation, bullying and violation of basic rights to silence us."

"By having U.S. immigration ban me from entering the United States, this
is really a blatant attempt to silence my voice and it’s taking the
opposition to BDS in this right-wing, xenophobic administration to a
higher lever," he said.

Barghouti lived in the U.S. for more than a decade including years spent
earning a masters degree in engineering from Columbia University. He has
traveled back and forth previously without issues, although he was
temporary prohibited from leaving Israel earlier this year after his
travel document was not renewed without explanation. Barghouti lives in
Israel where he is a permanent resident and therefore does not possess
Israeli citizenship or a passport. After Amnesty International
intervened, his travel document was reinstated earlier this year, again
without explanation.

In recent years 27 states have passed laws limiting or banning boycotts
against Israel for state employees and contractors. Shortly after the
measures were passed, four states struck down the laws as
unconstitutional. Current federal legislation would upend those
reversals. In February the Senate passed the Combating BDS Act of 2019
which grants state and local governments the power to stop doing
business with boycotters of "Israel or Israeli-controlled territories."
A similar version of the bill is making the rounds in the House but is
unlikely to pass.

James Zogby, the head of the Arab American Institute, said before
introducing Barghouti at this morning’s event that he had attempted to
arrange meetings between the BDS activist and members of Congress who
oppose the tactic.

"What is especially troubling is that there are numerous pieces of
legislation and or resolutions denouncing BDS, and some of them calling
out Mr. Barghouti by name," Zogby said. "A person much denounced and
much defamed should have the opportunity to engage in conversation.

"We wrote to all of the members of Congress who were sponsors of the
legislation asking if they would want to meet. The response has been to
deny him entry."

The BDS movement is modeled on boycotts of the South African Apartheid
regime as a means of pressuring an end to the system of racial
discrimination. In 2005 Barghouti produced a seminal document outlining
his principles for a non-violent movement that could sway Israel to make
fundamental changes in how it treats Palestinians. The call was widely
endorsed by Palestinian nonprofits and activists abroad. Israel has
vehemently opposed the movement as an effort to "delegitimize" the state
and sought to connect it to Palestinian militant groups, which are
labeled as terrorist organizations by the U.S. and Israel.

In February Barghouti’s name was mentioned in a report published by
Israel’s Ministry of Strategic Affairs titled, "terrorists in suits."
While no illegal actions are ascribed to Barghouti, the file describes
BDS "as a complementary effort" to "armed attacks against the State of
Israel."