Like many of you, we have been watching with alarm as Israel’s new government commits itself to plans to annex all or part of the West Bank as early as 1 July.
We are listening carefully to what our grantees in Israel are telling us. They fear that annexation would make the unequal and discriminatory legal system in the West Bank formal and permanent, and irrevocably harm Israel’s democratic character.
Annexation of even just a portion of the West Bank would further diminish the already fragile chances of a negotiated agreement between Israel and its Palestinian neighbours.
That’s why earlier this week we sent a letter to Foreign Minister Marise Payne urging the Australian government to strongly oppose annexation and other threats to Israel’s democracy.
Share This Letter on Facebook →
This is the first time we’ve written to the Australian government and asked them to oppose an Israeli government policy.
It is important for Israel’s closest allies – governments and communities – around the world to support Israel’s founding values of democracy and equality, and oppose moves like annexation which take Israel down a dangerous path.
We are proud to stand with our Israeli partners in opposing annexation.