Some Questions for Christine Milne

Seeing The Greens' new leader, Senator Christine Milne, has just unburdened herself to The Australian Jewish News, I've decided that a few comments and questions relating to the AJN 's report on same wouldn't go astray. (Notice of this post will be sent to Christine with the expectation of  a response. A failure to respond will be considered as complete agreement with what I've written here):

"New federal Greens leader Senator Christine Milne has given a fresh assurance that her party does not support the global BDS campaign against Israel... In a wide-ranging interview about Israel and the Middle East, Milne made it clear that BDS was not only no longer NSW party policy, but had never been federal policy. 'That issue is behind us, and I think it's a good opportunity to restart the conversation', she said." (New Greens leader: BDS 'is behind us', 20/4/12)

Tell me, Christine, what part of BDS's aims do you not understand?

Is it a) ending Israel's occupation and colonization of all Arab lands occupied in 1967 and dismantling the wall?

Is it b) recognizing the fundamental rights of the Arab-Palestinian citizens of Israel to full equality?

Is it c) respecting, protecting, and promoting the rights of Palestinian refugees to return to their homes and properties, as stipulated in UN Resolution 194?

We, the people, need to know.

"'The Greens have always had a position of supporting a two-state solution and that is absolutely my position. We also support peace and non-violence, which is a fundamental principle for The Greens, and we condemn violence against property and people from any quarter'... 'I think peace has to be pursued on all sides, and that's why The Greens have always taken the position that we want to see an internationally negotiated outcome', she said. 'We also have a very strong position on social justice and human rights, and so of course that pertains to everybody who lives in the region'." (ibid)

Yes Christine, but what do you mean by a two state solution, and what do you  propose to do to bring it about?

You see, if AIJAC's Colin Rubenstein (below) welcomes your support for a two-state solution, that can only suggest you're on the same wavelength, right?

Presumably that means 'Palestine' will only consist of  those bits and pieces of the West Bank left over after the ever-expanding settlement blocs have finished ever-expanding; settler satellites have finished proliferating; after the settler-only roads linking them all with one another and the imperial centre have finally linked every Israeli settler and his dog with every other Israeli settler and his dog, and then in turn with every Israeli and his dog in Israel improper; after the serpentine wall winding its way through the West Bank, neatly separating Palestinian towns and villages from their lands, has finished its separating; and after the Jordan Valley has been unequivocally declared an inseparable part of Israel improper.

Presumably too, like Rubes (and LibLab), you'll ritualistically be mouthing the two-state mantra when required but otherwise do nothing - the only real difference between Rubes and yourself being that, as the Palestinians are squeezed into smaller and smaller spaces, you'll be sitting on your hands while he'll be rubbing his together.

[Oh, and that business about The Greens supporting peace and non-violence (unless carried out by Israel of course), I'm a bit confused here. I mean, didn't you support the NATO bash in Libya? (In case it's slipped your mind, see my 24/3/11 post A Gripe About The Greens.)]

"When asked about her view on incitement against Jews occurring in Palestinian media and schools, Milne said she condemned the incitement of violence 'on any side'. 'I certainly don't support anyone glorifying taking action that involves the physical harm or displacement of any person', she said. '[And] from my point of view, I certainly don't want to see in schools, anything in curricula anywhere, that encourages people to take a view that would lead to religious violence or discrimination of any kind'." (ibid)

Well, you fell for that one, didn't you, Christine? (See my 28/11/08 post Janet's Dream and you'll see what I mean.)

"Milne said she was 'absolutely aware' of Israel's environmental credentials, noting it had been a global leader in water efficiency for some time. She also recalled being impressed by environmental activities she saw while backpacking in Israel in the early 1980s." (ibid)

Do you mean working on kibbutzes while Israel was busy invading, occupying and terrorising Lebanon, Christine?

"Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ) executive director Peter Wertheim welcomed Milne's rejection of BDS and said it was 'refreshing' that she acknowledged Israel's environmental credentials. But he said the community was still concerned about The Greens' policies on private school funding, religious freedom, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Iran, the UN and the US alliance. 'We are seeking a meeting with Christine Milne to further develop our relationship with The Greens and clarify issues that especially affect our community', he said." (ibid)

See where your grovel has led, Christine? Give these buggers an inch and they'll take mile! And you thought they'd finished with you?

"Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council (AIJAC) executive director Colin Rubenstein also welcomed Milne's stance on BDS and support for a two-state solution. 'We trust The Greens will join the bipartisan Australian and international consensus in encouraging the Palestinians to resume bilateral talks with Israel to that end, will oppose religious extremism which threatens liberal freedoms in Australia and elsewhere, and will always be unequivocal in condemning racism and anti-Semitism', he said." (ibid)

The bipartisan Australian and international consensus, eh? Can't you see where all this is going, Christine? That's right, into the same pocket as LibLab.

Eagerly awaiting your response, Christine.