Once again, Northern Rivers Friends of Palestine is being smeared with false claims. The alleged ‘boycott lists’ circulating in the Murdoch press are a complete fabrication. We have consistently told our members not to boycott local Israeli businesses and we have NOT produced a boycott list. In fact, when we passed a ‘ceasefire’ motion in Byron Shire Council, it specifically asked people not to boycott these businesses.
Our movement is about advocating for the rights and dignity of Palestinians, who have suffered decades of horrific oppression and apartheid as documented by the UN, Amnesty International and even Israeli human rights organisations. Our focus is on truth, justice, and peace, as we work to support the ICC and ICJ’s acknowledgement of Israel’s ongoing war crimes and human rights violations, and provide life-saving aid to those in need. We will continue this work, knowing that grassroots movements like NRFOP around the world are crucial – history has shown us this clearly through the example of South African apartheid, where global rejection proved instrumental in its dissolution.
However, these recent lies about us are likewise accompanied by attacks and intimidation. We have faced death and rape threats, property damage, and verbal abuse. Our peaceful events have been targeted with spitting, racist slurs, and vile hate-speech, individuals have called the police to disrupt us, and venues and artists have been pressured to cancel. These actions aim to silence us and stop our vital work for Palestinian rights.
Let’s be clear: those who oppose our efforts are the ones standing in the way of life-saving humanitarian aid. They are prioritising their supremacist views over the desperate needs of innocent children.
We will not tolerate racism or violence. We stand in solidarity with all people in their fight for justice and equality. We will continue to expose and confront hate, using every legal means to hold those spreading lies accountable.
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
