Andrew Wilkie (Clark, Independent) Share this | Hansard source

Six weeks ago a healthy seven-year-old boy died on his way home from school when he was chased by Israeli soldiers. His little heart couldn't take it, and he was literally scared to death. He is not even among the 41 Palestinian children who just this year have been directly killed by Israeli forces. No wonder the UN Human Rights Commission report released last month concluded that Israel's occupation of Palestine is inherently illegal, because, while military occupations are permitted temporarily, Israel has used it to thwart Palestinian self-determination for 55 years, stealing lands and national resources.

Moreover, the UN Special Rapporteur report, also released last month, concluded that previous peace processes had failed because they did not recognise Palestinians' enduring subordinate status. She said, 'A breach in international law should not be subjected to negotiations, as this would legitimise what is illegal.' The report even suggested that Israel's actions could constitute apartheid. Mind you, this term still doesn't capture the inherent complexities and consequences of the illegal occupation of Palestine.

It's time for Australia and the world to scale-up our response to this horrific situation. I do commend the government's reset on Jerusalem, but now we must also recognise Palestine, call for Israeli accountability in international courts and compel Israel to allow Palestinians to have the most basic of rights: self-determination.

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