Independent Australian Jewish Voices

146 Darlinghurst Road

Darlinghurst NSW 2010 Australia

Telephone (02) 9360 1600

Facsimile   (02) 9331 4712

E-Mail mail@nswjbd.com

ABN NO: 82 990 574 147

President: David D.Knoll

Chief Executive Officer: Vic Alhadeff

Dear All

We believe that a letter harshly critical of Israel will be published in The Australian as a paid advertisement on Wednesday. Please encourage your friends – from the wider community, even more importantly than from within the Jewish community – to write letters to the editor of The Australian before 12 noon the day this letter appears (Wednesday), rebutting some of the outrageous statements. The address is

letters@theaustralian.com.au

See below.

Vic Alhadeff

Chief Executive Officer

NSW Jewish Board of Deputies

Contact 9360 1600, 0408 964 358

Dear Friends,

We are forwarding below a letter that has been drafted by a number of groups and invite your signature if you share the sentiments expressed. As with our earlier IAJV statement, we propose to list signatories on our IAJV website as indicating those who have explicitly endorsed the letter and it is hoped that these names will also be published with the letter in The Australian Newspaper on March 12.

The letter and statement speak for themselves, but we would only add that it seems important for Jewish people in particular to indicate their sensitivity to the issues raised. All you need to do is reply to this email indicating your willingness to be a signatory to the statement attached. A donation form is also being forwarded as an attachment on behalf of the principal organizing groups.

As time is regrettably very short, if you would like to sign the letter, please reply right away.

Sincerely,

Peter Slezak
Antony Loewenstein

-----------

Covering Letter to;

1948
Palestine
Al Nakba

Australian Friends of Palestine
Australian Friends of Palestine (WA)
Australians for Palestine
Women for Palestine
Australians for Justice and Peace in Palestine
Palestinian Community Association of Victoria
Independent Australian Jewish Voices


www.1948.com.au


5 March 2008  
 
 
You may not be aware that on 12 March, our Prime Minister will be moving a motion in the Australian Parliament honouring Israel's 60 years of independence.  The motion will be seconded by the Opposition Leader Brendan Nelson.  A reception will then be held in the Mural Hall of Parliament House at which ministers, other members of Parliament and community leaders are likely to attend.
 
Such a motion, which honours a foreign country's independence while it is violating the rights of the indigenous people, occupying their land and breaching international law, is unprecedented in our Parliament's history.   It completely ignores the now well-documented historical record of Israel's ethnic cleansing that began with the 1948 al-Nakba  - the Palestinian catastrophe of dispossession and displacement - and which is continuing to this day. For sixty years, the Palestinians have been denied their rights, their freedom and their nationality while Israel continues to expropriate their lands on which to build illegal Jewish-only settlements in defiance of international law and all human rights conventions.
 
This is an improper motion that ought not to pass unchallenged, particularly in light of Israel's recent attacks on the civilian population in Gaza. Not only is it an affront to our nation's dignity and self- respect, it is most offensive to the Palestinian community in Australia.  For this reason, numerous interest groups around Australia have come together to protest this bi-partisan motion in a number of ways.
 
We are writing to the Prime Minister to put our case.  As a signatory to the Fourth Geneva Convention (1949), which prohibits the punishment of protected persons, the Australian Government has an obligation to call for Israel's compliance and demand an end to the violence and siege.  That is the proper motion we believe ought to be put before the Parliament.  It would signal Australia's respect for the universal rights of all people.
 
We are also seeking Australia-wide support with signatures and/or contributions for an advertisement in The Australian newspaper (see attached).  The cost for a 300 x 400mm B&W tabloid in the first 12-15 pages will be around $20,000 (depending on signatures): contributions will help our work in advocating for Palestinian rights.  More importantly, your signature, along with significant others, would give our message the authority it needs to alert Australians to the injustice of singling out Israel at the expense of the Palestinians.  We would be most grateful for your participation and immediate response.

--
Independent Australian Jewish Voices
Peter Slezak
James Levy
Antony Loewenstein
http://www.iajv.org/

Originally published signatories (March 5th, 2007)
Professor Peter Singer (Princeton University),

Robert Richter QC

Louise Adler (Melbourne University Publishing CEO)

Ian Cohen MLC ( Greens )
Professor Arie Freiberg (Dean of Law, Monash University
Hashomer Hatzair (Socialist Zionist Youth Movement)
Antony Loewenstein (author and journalist)
Brook Steve/Salbe Sol/Stillman Larry/Rothfield Norman [ Australian Jewish Democratic Society]
Szental Peter





Eva Cox (Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, UTS)
Professor Dennis Altman (Politics, Latrobe University)
Moss Cass (former Federal MHR Whitlam government)
Professor Ivor Indyk (publisher & UWS)
Henry Rosenbloom (founder, Scribe Publications)
Professor Andrew Benjamin (Associate Dean of Research, UTS)

Professor Andrew Jakubowicz (Sociology, UTS)
Professor Ephraim Nimni (Queens University, Belfast)
Professor David Goodman (Contemporary China Studies, UTS)
Dr. Geoffrey Brahm Levey, (Foundation Director of Jewish Studies, UNSW)
Dr. Peter Slezak (School of History & Philosophy, UNSW)
Dr. Jim Levy (School of Languages & Linguistics, UNSW)
and more than 100 other signatories
Most recent signatures
Woodgate Jonathon
Harcourt Richard
Key Heidi
Richter Monica
Sosnowski Marika  
Yazbek Cecile
Bishops Naomi
Raber Richard
Christoff Peter
Gleitzman Morris
Poyas Sam
MacSween Izaks Laurie
Roseth Michael
Mead Michael
Jacobs Keith
Clark Yael
Shenfield Gillian
Bartels Ditta
Binder Geoffrey
Jaffe Rita
Mitzvot George
Rosen Daniel
Walton Peter Leman
Leber Sylvie
Horsburgh Maurice
Balint Tony
Burke Carolyn
Flax Gabrielle
Black Rosalyn
Brait Vanessa
Thaler Ofir
Kaplan Jonathan
Rosenthal Mark
Benjamin Susan
Brait Carlos
Brait Rita
Bilander Jacob
Turner Vicky
Singer Esther
Ring Anne
Cox-Witton Keren
Faye Esther
Wilhelm Linda
Orkin Jock
Einstein Rosemarie
Mrocki Casey
Lewis Barry
Leigh Sue
Sztrajt David
D’Aprano Leonie

Complete Alphabetical Listing
Anonymous (20)
Aarons Debra
Aarons Michelle
Abarbanel Avigail
Abby Robert
Abeshouse Garry
Adamek Edwin
Adamek Estelle
Adler Jacques
Adler Louise
Adler Paul
Altman Dennis
Alton Talia
Asoulin Eran
Avrahamzon Talia
Bailin David
Balint Peter
Balint Tony
Ballek Lisa
Bamberger Judy
Banfield Sally
Barker Michael
Barolsky Joel
Barrett Ange
Bartels Ditta
Bassal Alan
Beauchamp Alice
Beilby Anne
Bender Lyn Estel
Benjamin Andrew
Benjamin Susan
Berkowitz Yaron
Bersten Robyn
Bilander Berish
Bilander David
Bilander Isy
Bilander Jacob
Binder Geoffrey
Bingham Red
Bishops Naomi
Bittoun Renee
Black Rosalyn
Blatman Henry
Bloch Barbara
Bloch Paula
Blooman Geoffrey
Bloustien Dave
Blustein Shiffi
Bognar Michael
Bokor Imre
Boleyn Christina
Boulton Leah
Bradley John
Brait Carlos
Brait Rita
Brait Vanessa
Braun Leo
Braw Jackie
Breckner Daniel
Briskman Linda
Brook Steve
Brown Susan
Bryx Bobby
Buckstein Ron
Budai Angela
Buky Michael
Bulkin Boris
Burke Carolyn
Burshtein Sam
Burstin David
Bush Jenny
Campbell Nikki
Cannold Leslie
Carleton James
Carleton Jenny
Carleton Susie
Cass Moss
Cebon Ben
Cebon Jonathan
Christoff Peter
Clark Yael
Clemens Ruth
Cohen Harry
Cohen Ian
Cohen Michelle
Colquhoun Samantha
Converse Peter Jacob
Conyer Natalie
Corden Max
Couani Anna
Cox Eva
Cox Rebecca
Cox-Witton Keren
Crafti Naomi
Crew Wendy
Dale Steve
Dapin Mark
D’Aprano Leonie
Davidson Grant
De Saxe Mannie
Dean Tamara
Dembo Leanne
di Suvero Henry
Dimitrova Tatiana
Douglas Greg
Dowse Sara
Dresner Ian
Droski Arnold
Dryen Robyn
Dubester Drew
Dwyer Joan
Dziedzic Andrew
Ebel John
Edwards Julie
Einfeld Sam
Einstein Ric
Einstein Rosemarie
Elkas Sara
Elson Shane
Elsass Lorraine
Epstein Judd
Epstein Sarah
Erman Hagai
Esdaile Peter
Factor Ian
Faine Miriam
Fare Shoshana
Faye Esther
Fegan Lydia
Finestone Lauren
Fink Michelle
Finkelstein Jan
Fisher Sue
Flax Gabrielle
Fliegner Joseph
Forte Brian
Fox Louise
Freadman Anne
Freedman George
Freiberg Arie
Frenkel Steve
Furolo Joseph
Nadia Fried
Frieze Donna
Gabbay Eli
Garbutt Michael
Garfinkel Su
Garlick Beverley
Gilovitz Lea
Ginges Hal
Glass Alexie
Glass Arthur
Gleitzman Morris
Gliksman Eve
Gliksman Michael
Gold Suzie
Goldfish Su
Goldman Arnold
Goldring Lorna
Goldstein Michael
Goodman David
Goodwin Trevor
Gordon Michael
Goss Jasper
Granot Daniel
Grant Joan
Grant Matt
Greenberg Vaughan
Greenwood Helen
Gregory Judith
Grodski Arnold
Grossman Michele
Grunschlag Caron
Harari Anat
Harcourt Richard

Hashomer Hatzair
Heilpern David
Heinman Edward
Heller David
Henner Avi
Hermolin David
Hertzberg Valda
Hiler Simon
Hiller Janet
Hilton Gabor
Hollo Peter
Hollo Tim
Horsburgh Jennifer
Horsburgh Maurice
Howard Carolyn
Hunt David
Ilbery Jaki
Imber Madelaine
Indyk Ivor
Jacobs Bill
Jacobs Keith
Jacobs Margaret
Jaffe Rita
Jaivin Linda
Jakubowicz Andrew
Jersky Michelle
Joffe Sandy
Kamener Renate
Kamener Bob
Kaplan Dalit
Kaplan Jonathan
Kapulsky David
Karabin John-Joyne
Katz Jeff
Kaufman Jon
Kaye David
Kaye Margaret
Kenigsberg Shelley
Kenner Jeremy
Key Heidi
King David
Kitchener Rachel
Kitching Gavin
Klepfisz Jenny
Kluska Dina
Kobilski Sacha
Koppel Herta
Kosky Jan
Kosky Julia
Kovner Lenny
Krell Alan
Kutis Tirtzah
Lander Alexis
Langsam David
Lawrence George
Leber Sylvie
Le Mamelon Vincent
Legge Bill
Leigh Sue
Leonzini Victor
Leser David
Leske Simon
Leveson Ruth
Levey Geoffrey
Levy David
Levy Jim
Levy Valerie
Lewis Barry
Lewitt Maria
Liberman Maurice
Liberman Natalie
Liebhaber Rachel
Lindell Geoffrey
Linder-Pelz Susie
Lipsig-Mumme Carla
Lisner Raymond
Loewenstein Antony
Loewenstein Jeff
Loewenstein Violet
Lublin Peter
MacSween Izaks Laurie
Maltz Jonathan
Marin Paul
Markman Ariella
Martin Dave
Mary Banfield
Mcdonald Jeff
McLean Jean
McNaughton Genny
Mead Michael
Mecoles Karen
Mehlman Josh
Meltzer Gloria
Michell Paul
Midalia Dan
Mirankar Hilik
Mitzvot George
Morris Alan
Mrocki Casey
Mularsky Anna
Munz Martin
Nadel Dave
Nadel Sandra
Naparstek Ben
Neering Ian
Nestle Joan
Neumark Norie
Nimni Ephraim
Nissen Alex
Nyall Trudy
Oates Jon
O’Conal-Prinz Judith M
Offner Ann
Oppenheim Dennis
Orkin Jock
Otterman Mike
Pakula Karen
Payne Martine
Pearson Tamara
Perelmuter Marcos
Perry Carol
Pescott Priscilla
Petterson Monica
Petterson Tim
Pettitt Annie
Pfeffer Monica
Philips David
Philips Michael
Phillips Dougal
Phillips Max
Phillips Neil
Pogos Abe
Porat Elinor
Porzsolt Vivienne
Poyas Sam
Preiss Allan
Prestel Claudia
Prichard Jason
Raber Richard
Raiz Jeremy
Raphael Isabelle
Raphael Kenneth
Raphael Miriam
Rapoport Nathan
Rassaby Lewis
Rechtman Andrew
Rechtman Daniel
Rechtman Katherine
Reich Joseph
Reid Nick
Relthi Flado
Retrich Mia
Rich Joe
Richman Thomas
Richmond Antonia
Richter Gina
Richter Juliet
Richter Lucien
Richter Robert QC
Richter Monica
Richter Ron
Riemer Andrew
Ring Anne
Rishi Reuben
Rodder Simon
Romer Marta
Rose Matti
Rose Nicky
Rosedale Suzi
Rosen Daniel
Rosenblatt Les
Rosenbloom Henry
Rosenfield Ruby
Rosenfeld Daniel
Rosenthal Indira
Rosenthal Mark
Roseth Michael
Rossler Liane
Rothfield Andrew
Rottem Jay
Rubin Halinka
Rubinstein Keren
Rubner Paul
Ruth Julie
Salinas Eve
Salom Margot
Samorzewski Meika Loofs
Samuel Stephen
Sarkadi Andrew
Schauder Cherryl
Schauder Don
Schlachter Bella
Schonstein Eva
Schwartz Susan
Segal Steven
Segall David
Shafran Michael
Sharota Stanya
Sharp Jared
Sharwood Simon
Shaun Eric
Shearer Alan
Shelley Frank
Shemer Naomi
Shenfield Gillian
Shifreen M
Siano Nizza
Silkoff David
Silkoff Lara
Silos Maria
Silver Candice
Silverstein Jordy
Silverstein Mervyn
Simmons William Joseph
Singer Esther
Singer Judy
Singer Peter
Singer Renata
Singerman Deborah
Slezak Peter
Slezak Vera
Slon Barry
Solomon Miriam
Solomon Robyn
Sosnowski Marika
Starfield Sue
Steen Marc
Stein Yasmin
David Steinberg
Stephen Klein
Stern Robert W.
Stern Yair

Stockman David
Stockman Lanie
Stolz David
Stolz Sahra
Stratton Jon
Suchecki Maurie
Susskind Anne
Sygall Nicky

Sztrajt David
Sztrajt Serge
Taft Angela
Taft Robyn
Talvé Annie
Tambour Anna
Tauber Justin
Thaler Ofir
Theunissen Steven
Thorpe Anna
Topliss Helen
Tropp Fred
Trumper Ezequiel
Turner Vicky
Ullman Naomi
Urbinder David
Varga Susan
Viner Jonathan
Vorsay Avril
Waks Sheree
Walker Ross
Walton Peter Leman
Wand Leslie
Wasowski Vera
Weis Lou
Weisser David
Wetherell David
White Kevin Judah
White Mike
Whitzman Carolyn
Wilhelm Linda
Willy Bach
Winston George AM
Winton Shirley
Wise Elizabeth
Witton Emil
Witton Nic
Witton Ron
Wolkenberg Daniel
Wolkenberg Gaby
Wolkenberg Tom
Woodgate Jonathon
Wynhausen Gabi
Wynn Jarrod Kelvin
Yazbek Cecile 
Zable Harry
Zion Deborah
Zirah Alexis
Zubrzycki Niki
Zurbo Sandra Goldbloom
Zyngier David
Zyngier Joel
Zyngier Romy