Monday 22 January 2024

In which Australian Jewish Association blatantly misrepresents the history of the Middle East and the Occupied Palestinian Territories. At the same time broadly characterizing readers of the Byron Echo as "left-leaning activist types".

 

"Hamas is responsible for 100% of all Gazan deaths" [Australian Jewish Association, 17 January 2024]



On 17 January 2024 on Page 5 of the Byron Echo, along with two local news articles - "McLeods Shoot tourist accom slated" and "Olgivie reflects on 35 years in the yoga biz" there was a single advertisement.


Nothing unusual in this independent newspaper's page layout.


However, the advertising slot did not contain the expected information concerning a bazzar, market, op shop, council notice or similar.


It contained an astonishing piece of political propaganda created by the Australian Jewish Association, which blatantly misrepresented the history of the Middle East and the Occupied Palestinian Territories.


With the exception of part of the one-sentence fifth paragraph, the distortions of fact it contained were so egregious that it took this writer's breath away.







IMAGE: The Byron Shire Echo, aka Byron Echo or Echo, 17.01.24, p.5 Click on image to enlarge



On the same day the Australian Jewish Association posted/tweeted this message on X formerly Twitter along with a copy of the advertisement:



It's important that the Jewish community and Israel are understood across Australia.


Byron Bay is known as a hotspot for left-leaning activist types.


The local paper, the Byron Shire Echo is widely read and often contains anti-Israel content.


AJA decided to take out a half page ad and share some facts.


The ad was generously facilitated by Michael Burd.


What do you think of the AJA ad? [my yellow highlighting]


[SEE: https://twitter.com/AustralianJA/status/1747433711057125551]


NOTE: 

  • Michael Burd on the subject of Michael Burd:

https://www.jwire.com.au/nothing-left-has-nothing-left/

  • United Nations Resolutions on the Question of Palestine -1946 to 2023

https://www.un.org/unispal/data-collection/general-assembly/?wpv_view_count=237041&wpv_paged=1

1.Oslo Accord 1993 - signed by Israeli Government & Palestinian Liberation Organisation (PLO)

2. Agreement on the Gaza Strip and the Jericho Area 1994 (Cairo Agreement) - signed by Israeli Government & PLO

3. Agreement on Preparatory Transfer of Powers and Responsibilities 1994 - signed by Israeli Government & PLO

4. Israeli-Palestinian Interim Agreement on the West Bank and the Gaza Strip 1995 (Oslo II) - signed by Israeli Government & PLO

5. Agreement on Temporary International Presence in the City of Hebron 1996 - signed by Israeli Government & PLO

6. Protocol Concerning the Redeployment in Hebron 1997 - signed by Israeli Government & PLO

7. Agreement on Temporary International Presence in the City of Hebron II 1997 - signed by Israeli Government & PLO

8. The Wye River Memorandum 1998 - signed by Israeli Government & PLO

9. Sharm el Sheikh Memorandum on Implementation Timeline of Outstanding Commitments of Agreements Signed and the Resumption of Permanent Status Negotiations 1999 - signed by Israeli Government & PLO

10. Protocol Concerning Safe Passage between the West Bank and the Gaza Strip 1999 - signed by Israeli Government & PLO

11. Camp David Summit 2000 - Israel & Palestine failed to reach an agreement 

12. The Disengagement Plan - General Outline 2004 - proposal by Israeli Government in which sovereignty over West Bank settlements is asserted and an intention to maintain a military presence, along with an assertion of authority over Gaza Strip airspace and coastal seas as well as an intention to ring Gaza's borders with security forces and police population movement.

13. Agreed Documents on Movement and Access from and to Gaza: Agreement on Movement and Access Agreed Principles for Rafah Crossing 2005 - Israeli Government & PLO agreement

14. Annapolis Conference Joint Understanding and Statements Joint Understanding on Negotiations 2007 - Israeli Government statement

15. Understanding Regarding Ceasefire in Gaza Strip 2012 - not attributed

16. Egyptian Initiative 2014 regarding ceasefire in Gaza Strip - not accepted by all parties. However an amended ceasefire agreement came into effect at 7pm Cairo time on 26 August 2014. In May 2021, the Israeli police raided Al Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, triggering an 11 day armed conflict between Israel and Hamas. This included Israeli airstrikes on Gaza. Egypt again brokered a ceasefire which came into effect on 21 May 2021.


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