The Victorian Greens have backed the calls of over one hundred Muslim organisations and community members including the Islamic Council of Victoria, and are urging Premier Allan to cancel her planned Iftar dinner in March.
Overnight an open letter signed by more than one hundred Muslim organisations and community members was published, urging the broader Muslim community to boycott the Iftar, which had been planned for March 10.
The Islamic Council of Victoria had asked the Premier to cancel the event, but because of her refusal to do so several members of the community penned the open letter calling for a boycott.
In the wake of the horrific attack on Palestinian people in Gaza by the State of Israel that has claimed more than 30,000 lives and injured tens of thousands more, many in the Victorian Muslim community are grieving.
The community has also expressed deep frustration at the Victorian Labor Government’s refusal to recognise the unfolding genocide and sever ties with Israeli weapons manufacturer Elbit Systems, and its memorandum of understanding with the Israel’s defence ministry.
The Victorian Greens have been urging Premier Allan to listen to the community and end its deals with any entity that could be involved in the ongoing invasion on Gaza.
Along with severing these ties, the Labor must also acknowledge the pain of the Palestinian community and heed their calls that the Premier’s Iftar not proceed.
As stated by Leader of the Victorian Greens, Samantha Ratnam MLC:
“We have been hearing from more and more members of the Victorian Muslim community who feel utterly let down and betrayed by Labor.
“The suffering of the Palestinian people is deeply felt and has not been adequately acknowledged by Premier Allan.
“It is clear that the community doesn’t feel heard by Premier Allan. To push ahead with an event amid such suffering and frustration in the community would be insensitive.
“If the Victorian Labor Government was listening to the Palestinian and broader Muslim communities, it would immediately sever its ties with Israel’s largest weapons manufacturer Elbit Systems and Israel’s defence ministry.
“To refuse to act and to stay silent, is not a neutral position. It is sending a message to the community and today the community has sent an unequivocal message back.”
