New Israel Fund Australia is proud to sign the "Voice, Treaty, Truth – Jewish Organisations Reaffirm Support for First Nations Australians From the Heart":
The statement reads:
We recognise the deep moral and political significance of the Uluru Statement from the Heart in our own hearts.
Jews have also experienced the deep silence that follows atrocity and genocide, the experience of being abandoned by humanity, the struggle for recognition of confronting truths, and the tormenting powerlessness of not being heard.
In this year of 2020, which marks the 250th anniversary of the arrival of the British in Australia and dispossession of its original inhabitants, it is very important to recognise how much work and structural change is still needed to heal the relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. The health crisis this year in Australia is but one of many issues that highlight the continuing vulnerability and powerlessness of First Nations in their own country.
We reaffirm our full-hearted support for:
- amendment of the Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act to enshrine a First Nations Voice in the Constitution;
- establishment by legislation or letters patent of a Makarrata Commission to oversee a process of truth-telling about our history as a path to reconciliation between First Nations and other Australians and to oversee the making of agreements between First Nations and Federal and State governments.
Despite what has happened over the past 250 years, the First Nations of Australia have shown great dignity, patience, tenacity and generosity of spirit, inviting all Australians to walk with them to create a fuller expression of our shared nationhood.
We accept the invitation of the Uluru Statement from the Heart with gratitude and pledge to work with First Nations, all Federal and State politicians, local and city authorities, religious, ethnic and civil society organisations, business leaders and our fellow citizens in moving together towards a better future.
This statement was first released on 27 May 2020, the 53rd anniversary of the 1967 Referendum and three years after release of the Uluru Statement from the Heart. All Australian Jewish organisations are invited to sign it during 2020, the 250th anniversary of the arrival of the British in Australia, and the following have done so to date:
- ALEPH Melbourne
- Ameinu Australia
- Australasian Union of Jewish Students (AUJS)
- Betar Australia
- Emanuel Synagogue
- Habonim Dror Australia
- Hashomer Hatzair Australia
- Inner West Chavurah
- Jews for Refugees
- Jewish Voices for Peace & Justice (NSW)
- Jewish Labour Bund
- Jewish Lesbian Group of Victoria
- Kehilat Nitzan (Melbourne)
- Meretz Australia
- Music for Refugees
- Netzer Australia
- New Israel Fund Australia
- NSW Jewish Board of Deputies
- SKIF
- Stand Up
