Palestine supporters leaving area after abuse

Another 144 people were killed in Gaza last week, as the ongoing genocide by Israel continues.

A blockade by Israel of all aid reaching starving Palestinians has now entered its 11th week.

It again spurred Northern Rivers Friends of Palestine (NRFOP) into action, with members this time occupying the roof of federal Labor MP Justine Elliot’s electoral office in Tweed Heads last Thursday.

Among those arrested included a Freedom Flotilla survivor.

As reported last week, The Freedom Flotilla was bombed near Malta around midnight by drones suspected of being operated by Israeli forces.

The flotilla was destined for Gaza, with volunteers onboard carrying critical humanitarian aid. 

Another activist arrested on Thursday was Subhi Awad, from NRFOP.

Invasion Day

He said, ‘This action takes place on Palestinians’ Invasion Day – Nakba Day, May 15 – marking 77 years since over 750,000 Palestinians were violently ethnically-cleansed from their homes during the founding of the Israeli state’.

He added that, ‘Every night, before I try to sleep, I picture the faces of my friends’ children in Gaza, their small bodies growing weaker with each passing day. We hear the bombs, even from here, in our hearts.’ 

‘We climbed onto this roof not because we want to be criminals, but because our government’s inaction is criminal. How can they stand by while a million children are deliberately starved?

‘We are here to demand our humanity be recognised, and for Justine Elliot to finally look us in the eye and explain her complicity. Let the children of Gaza live.’

The group say they are calling on Mrs Elliot, who has refused to meet with them for 18 months, to meet with them directly and explain her continued silence and support for Israel.

Responding to the protest, Mrs Elliot said, ‘My electorate office provides assistance to constituents on many matters including Medicare, social security, aged care, NDIS and other matters, and many people were not able to get that assistance owing to this protest’.

‘Peaceful protests are fundamental to our democracy, but they must be peaceful. My staff working in the office deserve respect, not abuse and unsafe work environments.’

Subhi Awad

Subhi is an Australian-Palestinian man living in Mullumbimby, and while the rainbow region is known for its inclusiveness and open minds, he says he is leaving the area owing to repeated harassment and intimidation by Zionists for speaking up.

He told The Echo he was born as a refugee in Lebanon and then moved to the UK with his family at age seven as a ‘stateless’ economic migrant.

‘My father was gifted academically, and received a scholarship there,’ he said.

‘My grandfather was a driver and interpreter for the British Army in WWII’, he added.

Despite the harassment he has endured, he says, ‘This community is incredible’.

Nearly $75,000 raised from events

‘In the last 18 months alone, NRFOP has held over 39 major events and raised nearly $75,000, with the vast majority going to children’s charities in Palestine.

‘Our group has unwavering anti-racism principles and stands for safety, equality and freedom for all people.

Organised attacks

‘Despite this, there is a group that organises to attack us using smears, cynical pressure campaigns, threats and intimidation against venues, artists, speakers, our group as a whole, and members personally.

‘Our personal property has been attacked, we have been spat at and abused, and all of our events are spied on and participants filmed.

‘Crucially, we have never retaliated or targeted their events.

‘This includes two instances of what we believe was Murdoch press setups designed to bait and incite us, with cameras that just happened to be there.

‘The most viciously singled out and targeted are Palestinians and anti-Zionist Jews, specifically because of our race or religion. It can only be described as a racist hate campaign.

‘We are an inclusive and democratic organising team, well-represented by diverse voices, including Jewish community members.

‘We don’t feel safe in our own community, so we’re re-locating, but our resolve to support this community and NRFOP is undiminished’.

Áine Tyrrell

Similarly, musician Áine Tyrrell is leaving, and not just the area, but the country. 

She told The Echo she is heading home to Ireland with her family in June.

‘I moved here ten years ago’, she says, ‘and was drawn to the vibrant artistic culture of the Northern Rivers’.

‘The first place on these lands that felt like home.

‘In these years on Bundjalung, I have learned a lot. It was a thriving arts scene here until Covid hit, and the arts community hasn’t fully recovered.

‘Standing up for human rights has never been separate from who I am, it’s woven into my upbringing and my art.

‘I was raised in a home where art and activism went hand in hand. With a musician father, attending protests and performing at events in support of human rights, including Palestinian rights, was simply part of life.

‘That legacy runs deep, rooted in Ireland’s long tradition of speaking out against injustice. 

‘It’s been revealing and painful to witness how many artists and activists here, who speak boldly about Indigenous issues or the climate, fall silent when it comes to Palestine.

‘This is where Ireland has felt different. In the Northern Rivers, the silence from the artistic community has been not only disappointing, but dangerous and starkly at odds with the values I believed this community stood for. 

‘That silence has left artists like me exposed and isolated.

‘For speaking out against the killing of children in Gaza, I’ve faced abuse online and in person, threats, surveillance at shows, posters being ripped down, blacklisting, and censorship. And not just here, but all across Australia.

‘I had no idea how deep Zionist influence ran in the arts and other sectors.  

‘My last local show (for now) is June 8 at the Bruns Picture House. But I’ll be back yearly. You haven’t heard the last of me or my voice, which will always speak out for Palestine and all social justice’, she added.