By political reporters Chantelle Al-Khouri and Jake Evans
Posted Wed 15 May 2024 at 11:19amWednesday 15 May 2024 at 11:19am, updated Wed 15 May 2024 at 11:31am
Some politicians are prepared to speak the truth – so brave – Mark
Labor Senator Fatima Payman has broken ranks to accuse Israel of carrying out “genocide” in Gaza, calling on her party to sanction and cease trade with Israel.
“My conscience has been uneasy for far too long, and I must call this out for what it is,” Senator Payman told SBS News.
“This is a genocide, and we need to stop pretending otherwise.”
Senator Payman directly put questions to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and her other colleagues, asking them to “stand for what is right”.
“I ask our prime minister and our fellow parliamentarians: how many international rights laws must Israel break for us to say enough? How many lives does it take to call this a genocide?” Senator Payman asked.
“I see our leaders performatively gesture defending the oppressors’ right to oppress while gaslighting the global community about [Israel’s] rights of self-defence.”
Israel has repeatedly denied claims of genocide, which is defined under international law as killing or harming members of a national, ethnical, racial or religious group with “intent to destroy, in whole or in part”.
Read More……………..