Senate debates

Wednesday, 19 September 2018

Motions

Israel

4:03 pm

Photo of Fraser AnningFraser Anning (Queensland, Katter's Australian Party) Share this | | Hansard source

I ask that general business notice of motion No. 1080, standing in my name for today relating to the state of Israel, be taken as a formal motion.

Photo of Scott RyanScott Ryan (President) Share this | | Hansard source

Is there any objection to this motion being taken as formal?

Photo of Anne RustonAnne Ruston (SA, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for International Development and the Pacific) Share this | | Hansard source

Yes.

Photo of Scott RyanScott Ryan (President) Share this | | Hansard source

There is, Senator Anning.

Photo of Fraser AnningFraser Anning (Queensland, Katter's Australian Party) Share this | | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Photo of Scott RyanScott Ryan (President) Share this | | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Photo of Fraser AnningFraser Anning (Queensland, Katter's Australian Party) Share this | | Hansard source

Today is Yom Kippur, an auspicious time for this motion. Anti-Semitism is not saying two words deliberately taken out of context by others; it is active hostility towards the Jewish people here and abroad, including support for Muslim terrorists who murder innocent Israelis. This motion calls on senators to make their position clear, recognising and expressing support for the only nation in the Middle East that shares our values and our democratic system of government, and condemning ongoing terrorist acts against it. The fact is, if you do not support the right of Israelis to exist and you do not condemn the terrorist-supporting Palestinian National Authority, you are anti-Semitic.

4:05 pm

Photo of Anne RustonAnne Ruston (SA, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for International Development and the Pacific) Share this | | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Photo of Scott RyanScott Ryan (President) Share this | | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute

Photo of Anne RustonAnne Ruston (SA, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for International Development and the Pacific) Share this | | Hansard source

In line with the government's long-standing view, motions that cannot be debated or amended should not deal with complex foreign policy matters. Australia is a long-standing strong supporter of a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestine conflict and we urge all parties to return to negotiations towards an enduring peace. Australia condemns terrorists and terrorist organisations and supports a peace process by Israel and a future Palestine state existing side-by-side in peace and security within internationally recognised borders.

Photo of Scott RyanScott Ryan (President) Share this | | Hansard source

That concludes Discovery of Formal Business.