MEDIA RELEASES

AIJAC welcomes Victorian Government’s request for probe into BDS movement

Aug 8, 2011

AIJAC welcomes Victorian Government's request for probe into BDS movement
news_item/5742228686_2d5a6a6cb6.jpg

Media Release

August 8, 2011

AIJAC welcomes the decision of the Government of Victoria to ask the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) to investigate whether organisations campaigning for Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) against Israel have been conducting “secondary boycotts for the purpose of causing substantial loss or damage”, in breach of section s45D of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010.

AIJAC Executive Director Dr Colin Rubenstein said today, “AIJAC applauds the decision of the Victorian Government to refer the matter to the ACCC and hopes that the businesses that have been targeted by the boycott are provided with the injunctive relief or damages to which they are entitled. We call on other Governments around Australia, state and federal, to send a clear message that Australians will not tolerate bullying, hateful and divisive tactics by following Victoria’s lead and supporting this or similar complaints to the ACCC. “

The BDS movement has been targeting businesses in Australia for no reason other than their perceived relationship with Israel. They have included cafes, skincare product stores and other companies with little or no political influence or direct involvement in the Palestinian/Israeli conflict. Dr Rubenstein asserted that, “such discriminatory practices have no place in Australian society and, moreover, will only serve to intensify the Palestinian/Israeli conflict by promoting division and hatred.”

“A peaceful resolution in the Middle East can only be achieved through meaningful negotiations based on mutual cooperation, understanding and dialogue. This is the view of the Australian Government, as well as an overwhelming majority of the international community,” he said. “These boycotts are the very opposite of such dialogue and engagement. Anyone who hopes for Middle East peace based on two states should be standing firmly against them, including opposing them by all legal means available, as the Victorian Government has so commendably demonstrated.”

For additional information, contact Dr. Colin Rubenstein at AIJAC on (03) 9681 6660.

See also – Victorian Government’s media release

 

Tags:

RELATED ARTICLES


Image: Shutterstock

AIJAC “gravely disappointed” by Australian Government’s decision to resume UNRWA funding

Mar 15, 2024 | Featured, Media Releases
Image: Shutterstock

AIJAC calls on Australian Government to remain firm on UNRWA

Mar 12, 2024 | Featured, Media Releases
Israeli trauma expert Dr Moshe Farchi (Image: Twitter/X)

AIJAC angered and disappointed at “cowardly” and “discriminatory” actions of the 2024 Frontline Mental Health Conference

Mar 4, 2024 | Featured, Media Releases
Screenshot 2024 02 15 At 6.22.56 pm

AIJAC disappointed with Prime Ministers’ statement on Rafah that appears “divorced from reality”

Feb 15, 2024 | Featured, Media Releases
The International Court of Justice prepares to deliver its findings on Jan. 26.

AIJAC pleased ICJ permitted Israel’s just war of self-defence against Hamas to continue

Jan 27, 2024 | Featured, Media Releases
Image: Shutterstock

AIJAC welcomes new Australian sanctions targeting Hamas, Hezbollah, PIJ and the IRGC

Jan 23, 2024 | Featured, Media Releases

SIGN UP FOR AIJAC EMAILS

RECENT POSTS

Screenshot 2024 03 15 At 6.19.20 pm

Four Corners “Forever War” episode reflected the endless crusade of its creator, John Lyons

Image: Shutterstock

AIJAC “gravely disappointed” by Australian Government’s decision to resume UNRWA funding

Fighters from Hamas' Qassam Brigades (Image: Shutterstock)

This is no time to throw Hamas a lifeline

Image: Shutterstock

AIJAC calls on Australian Government to remain firm on UNRWA

(image: Shutterstock/Syndi Pilar)

“Anti-Zionism” is illegitimate and immoral regardless of whether or not it is antisemitic

Screenshot 2024 03 15 At 6.19.20 pm

Four Corners “Forever War” episode reflected the endless crusade of its creator, John Lyons

Image: Shutterstock

AIJAC “gravely disappointed” by Australian Government’s decision to resume UNRWA funding

Fighters from Hamas' Qassam Brigades (Image: Shutterstock)

This is no time to throw Hamas a lifeline

Image: Shutterstock

AIJAC calls on Australian Government to remain firm on UNRWA

(image: Shutterstock/Syndi Pilar)

“Anti-Zionism” is illegitimate and immoral regardless of whether or not it is antisemitic

SORT BY TOPICS