Australian authors give every MP five books on Israel, Palestine and Lebanon
A group of more than 90 Australian authors have given five books on the history of Palestine, Lebanon and Israel to all 227 members of Australia’s parliament, according to Guardian Australia.
The authors raised funds to gift the “authoritative, highly readable books” for the legislators to read over the Australian summer in a bid to insert more nuance into public discussion of Israel’s war on Gaza and the wider region.
The books are:
- The Sunbird, a novel by Lebanese Australian author Sara Haddad
- The Hundred Years War on Palestine by Palestinian-American historian and writer Rashid Khalidi
- Balcony over Jerusalem by veteran Australian Broadcasting Corporation journalist John Lyons
- A Very Short History of the Israel-Palestine Conflict by Israeli historian Ilan Pappé
- Palestine A-Z, a short guide to what is really going on in Palestine by Irish author Kate Thompson
Pro-Palestinian protesters hang banners on the roof of Australia’s Parliament House building in Canberra, Australia on July 4
Canadian protesters block staff from entering factory selling weapons bound for Israel
About 100 protesters have blocked morning shift staff from entering the Collins Aerospace factory in Canada, demanding the company stop selling weapons components for fighter jets and attack helicopters bound for Israel, according to a statement released by activists.
“While my family members in Gaza have been killed and continue to be terrorised by Israel’s nonstop bombing attacks, I am sickened to know that parts of these same bomber planes are being made right here at Collins Aerospace’s factory in Oakville, where I live,” said Dalia F, a Palestinian resident of Oakville in Ontario.
The protesters, who began their demonstration before dawn, are also demanding that the Canadian government implement a full arms embargo on Israel.
“The weapons being manufactured here at Collins Aerospace are directly used in the mass killing of Palestinians, violating the very values of humanity and dignity our tradition upholds,” said Rabbi David Mivasair with Independent Jewish Voices Canada. “By profiting from this violence, Canada betrays its moral and legal obligations.”
The protest was organised by the organisations Oakville for Palestine, Labour For Palestine, Palestinian Youth Movement Toronto,and World BEYOND War.
