Published: 25 June 2020
Last updated: 4 March 2024
AS THE DEADLINE APPROACHES for the launch of Israel’s plan to annex occupied Palestinian territories, the silence by Australian Jewish community leaders is deafening.
Over the past few months Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has made clear his intention to start annexing parts of the West Bank from July 1. While the details of which parts and when have yet to be confirmed, he has continued to embrace the principle of unilateral annexation of Palestinian territories without the consent of the Palestinians who live in them.
The unity government has been comprehensively condemned inside Israel and elsewhere, in terms of political morality, the violation of international law and the security ramifications it would unleash.
The criticism has come from a broad range of Western powers – the EU, Britain, Russia, and Canada, with the notable exception of US President Donald Trump, whose peace proposal laid the groundwork for annexation - and also throughout the Diaspora.
The influential US Jewish advocacy organisation AIPAC has given US politicians its blessing to voice criticism, and a range of voices from within the UK Jewish community have done so already, although the head of the UK Board of Deputies has regrettably adopted a public position of “not speaking out. But if annexation happens – and I say if – opinion could change again.”
At least it made a public statement to acknowledge its position, although the response acknowledges the elephant in the room. Will Israel actually annex anything? The continuing lack of detail about the government’s plans has fuelled speculation in Israel and abroad, that Netanyahu will pull back at the last minute, or limit annexation to a few settlement blocs – still a significant chunk of land and people’s lives - to appease the ultra-Orthodox and right-wing constituency.
Do our community leaders support annexation, limited or total, or do they oppose it? We do not know. They have been missing in action.
Under this second scenario, he would shore up their support for a fourth election which would boost Likud’s vote, give Netanyahu the prospect of leading on his own and jettison Benny Gantz from the existing unity arrangement under which he will take over the reins after 18 months.
Over the past few months, The Jewish Independent has approached the Zionist Federation of Australia and the Executive council of Australian Jewry on several occasions for a public response and been told it was too soon, there was not enough known about the plan to allow them to comment.
It would appear they are hoping Netanyahu will lose his nerve or make annexation so limited and symbolic that it is superfluous to speak out about a policy principle that is minimal in its scale and application.
Whatever the reasons, their lack of response is even more conspicuous when compared with their outspoken advocacy over the Malka Leifer extradition scandal, in which both bodies have displayed commendable leadership and spoken out clearly against the failings of the Israeli political process and justice system.
Yet now, on this other issue of profound significance to all Jewish, and other people who care about Israel, they have maintained a disappointing silence. Leadership bodies that purport to advocate in our interest have a responsibility to show us what they stand for.
Their lack of response is even more conspicuous when compared with their outspoken advocacy over the Malka Leifer extradition scandal, in which both bodies have displayed commendable leadership.
They also carry a responsibility to inform and educate the community about the issues involved, separate to taking a position. For example, to explain if there is any difference between annexation and extending Israel’s sovereignty, what international law recognises, how much territory and how many people live in the Jordan Valley, and so on.
Most importantly, however, do our leaders support annexation, limited or total, or do they oppose it? We do not know. They have been missing in action.
With less than a week to go, the time for them to speak is overdue. The Jewish Independent calls on our community leaders tell Australian Jews, and all Australians, whether they support or oppose Israel’s planned annexation of Palestinian territory, and why.
EDITOR'S NOTE: The Jewish Independent acknowledges that several Australian groups have made public statements opposing Israel’s planned annexation. They include the Zionist youth movements - Netzer, Habonim Dior, and Hashomer Hatza’ir, and the leaders of the Union of Progressive Judaism and the Australian Reform Zionist Association
READ MORE
BEN SAUL: Why Australia needs to join global condemnation of Israel's annexation plans (SMH)
Netanyahu’s annexation bid is bad for Israel. Our ally the US should just say no (Times of Israel)
DAVID HOROVITZ: Unilaterally extending Israeli rule into the West Bank not only damages the way we are perceived around the world, it remakes the way we present and see ourselves
Trump’s endorsement crucial for Netanyahu’s annexation plan (Al-Monitor)
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu knows that he cannot go ahead with annexation without the endorsement of US President Donald Trump
Hundreds of clergy members pen open letter opposing unilateral annexation (Jerusalem Post)
The clergy members and students noted that unilaterally annexing the West Bank “would be a catastrophic mistake…violate human rights, weaken democracy, and make Israelis and Palestinians less secure”
