Australian protest as activist boat hits Gaza blockade
Protesters have demonstrated outside Anthony Albanese's electorate office after Israel blocked a boat carrying desperately needed aid to Gaza.
Climate advocate Greta Thunberg was among a dozen activists on board the Freedom Flotilla Coalition's vessel Madleen when it was intercepted by Israeli forces in the Mediterranean Sea early on Monday.
They were prevented from entering the blockaded enclave.
Students for Palestine, one of the groups that called for a snap protest at the prime minister's electorate office in Sydney among others around the country, said Australia should expel the Israeli ambassador.
"The Madleen crew represent the hopes of all those who stand for humanity against the starvation and bombardment of Gazans, and they must be immediately released," the group's co-convenor Jasmine Duff said on Monday.
Carrying placards and umbrellas on a rainy Monday they vocalised their anger and demanded Australia diplomatically increase pressure on Israel.
"We call on Anthony Albanese and Penny Wong to immediately expel the Israeli ambassador, cut all military and economic ties with Israel, and pressure Israel to release the illegally kidnapped crew," Ms Duff added.
The Sicily-based coalition said the humanitarian boat was "unlawfully boarded, its unarmed civilian crew abducted, and its life-saving cargo - including baby formula, food and medical supplies - confiscated."
But the Israeli foreign ministry pointed the finger at Thunberg saying it was a "selfie yacht of celebrities" and those on board would be deported to their home countries.
The progressive Jewish Council of Australia also urged Australia to place sanctions on Israel.
"The world is watching," the council's executive officer Sarah Schwartz said.
"We don't have to be a 'major player' to show our commitment to the basic humanity of Palestinians and be part of the global movement to pressure Israel through sanctions to comply with international law,"
The lack of food reaching Gaza caused by Israeli aid obstruction is leaving hundreds of thousands of Palestinians "vulnerable to starvation", the United Nations warned earlier in June.
More than 54,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel's ongoing military offensive, according to Gaza health officials.
The retaliatory campaign was in response to Hamas militants killing 1200 Israelis and capturing more than 250 hostages in October 2023.
Israel has imposed a naval blockade on the coastal enclave since Hamas took control of Gaza in 2007.
Protesters have demonstrated outside Anthony Albanese's electorate office after Israel blocked a boat carrying desperately needed aid to Gaza.
Climate advocate Greta Thunberg was among a dozen activists on board the Freedom Flotilla Coalition's vessel Madleen when it was intercepted by Israeli forces in the Mediterranean Sea early on Monday.
They were prevented from entering the blockaded enclave.
Students for Palestine, one of the groups that called for a snap protest at the prime minister's electorate office in Sydney among others around the country, said Australia should expel the Israeli ambassador.
"The Madleen crew represent the hopes of all those who stand for humanity against the starvation and bombardment of Gazans, and they must be immediately released," the group's co-convenor Jasmine Duff said on Monday.
Carrying placards and umbrellas on a rainy Monday they vocalised their anger and demanded Australia diplomatically increase pressure on Israel.
"We call on Anthony Albanese and Penny Wong to immediately expel the Israeli ambassador, cut all military and economic ties with Israel, and pressure Israel to release the illegally kidnapped crew," Ms Duff added.
The Sicily-based coalition said the humanitarian boat was "unlawfully boarded, its unarmed civilian crew abducted, and its life-saving cargo - including baby formula, food and medical supplies - confiscated."
But the Israeli foreign ministry pointed the finger at Thunberg saying it was a "selfie yacht of celebrities" and those on board would be deported to their home countries.
The progressive Jewish Council of Australia also urged Australia to place sanctions on Israel.
"The world is watching," the council's executive officer Sarah Schwartz said.
"We don't have to be a 'major player' to show our commitment to the basic humanity of Palestinians and be part of the global movement to pressure Israel through sanctions to comply with international law,"
The lack of food reaching Gaza caused by Israeli aid obstruction is leaving hundreds of thousands of Palestinians "vulnerable to starvation", the United Nations warned earlier in June.
More than 54,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel's ongoing military offensive, according to Gaza health officials.
The retaliatory campaign was in response to Hamas militants killing 1200 Israelis and capturing more than 250 hostages in October 2023.
Israel has imposed a naval blockade on the coastal enclave since Hamas took control of Gaza in 2007.
Protesters have demonstrated outside Anthony Albanese's electorate office after Israel blocked a boat carrying desperately needed aid to Gaza.
Climate advocate Greta Thunberg was among a dozen activists on board the Freedom Flotilla Coalition's vessel Madleen when it was intercepted by Israeli forces in the Mediterranean Sea early on Monday.
They were prevented from entering the blockaded enclave.
Students for Palestine, one of the groups that called for a snap protest at the prime minister's electorate office in Sydney among others around the country, said Australia should expel the Israeli ambassador.
"The Madleen crew represent the hopes of all those who stand for humanity against the starvation and bombardment of Gazans, and they must be immediately released," the group's co-convenor Jasmine Duff said on Monday.
Carrying placards and umbrellas on a rainy Monday they vocalised their anger and demanded Australia diplomatically increase pressure on Israel.
"We call on Anthony Albanese and Penny Wong to immediately expel the Israeli ambassador, cut all military and economic ties with Israel, and pressure Israel to release the illegally kidnapped crew," Ms Duff added.
The Sicily-based coalition said the humanitarian boat was "unlawfully boarded, its unarmed civilian crew abducted, and its life-saving cargo - including baby formula, food and medical supplies - confiscated."
But the Israeli foreign ministry pointed the finger at Thunberg saying it was a "selfie yacht of celebrities" and those on board would be deported to their home countries.
The progressive Jewish Council of Australia also urged Australia to place sanctions on Israel.
"The world is watching," the council's executive officer Sarah Schwartz said.
"We don't have to be a 'major player' to show our commitment to the basic humanity of Palestinians and be part of the global movement to pressure Israel through sanctions to comply with international law,"
The lack of food reaching Gaza caused by Israeli aid obstruction is leaving hundreds of thousands of Palestinians "vulnerable to starvation", the United Nations warned earlier in June.
More than 54,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel's ongoing military offensive, according to Gaza health officials.
The retaliatory campaign was in response to Hamas militants killing 1200 Israelis and capturing more than 250 hostages in October 2023.
Israel has imposed a naval blockade on the coastal enclave since Hamas took control of Gaza in 2007.
Protesters have demonstrated outside Anthony Albanese's electorate office after Israel blocked a boat carrying desperately needed aid to Gaza.
Climate advocate Greta Thunberg was among a dozen activists on board the Freedom Flotilla Coalition's vessel Madleen when it was intercepted by Israeli forces in the Mediterranean Sea early on Monday.
They were prevented from entering the blockaded enclave.
Students for Palestine, one of the groups that called for a snap protest at the prime minister's electorate office in Sydney among others around the country, said Australia should expel the Israeli ambassador.
"The Madleen crew represent the hopes of all those who stand for humanity against the starvation and bombardment of Gazans, and they must be immediately released," the group's co-convenor Jasmine Duff said on Monday.
Carrying placards and umbrellas on a rainy Monday they vocalised their anger and demanded Australia diplomatically increase pressure on Israel.
"We call on Anthony Albanese and Penny Wong to immediately expel the Israeli ambassador, cut all military and economic ties with Israel, and pressure Israel to release the illegally kidnapped crew," Ms Duff added.
The Sicily-based coalition said the humanitarian boat was "unlawfully boarded, its unarmed civilian crew abducted, and its life-saving cargo - including baby formula, food and medical supplies - confiscated."
But the Israeli foreign ministry pointed the finger at Thunberg saying it was a "selfie yacht of celebrities" and those on board would be deported to their home countries.
The progressive Jewish Council of Australia also urged Australia to place sanctions on Israel.
"The world is watching," the council's executive officer Sarah Schwartz said.
"We don't have to be a 'major player' to show our commitment to the basic humanity of Palestinians and be part of the global movement to pressure Israel through sanctions to comply with international law,"
The lack of food reaching Gaza caused by Israeli aid obstruction is leaving hundreds of thousands of Palestinians "vulnerable to starvation", the United Nations warned earlier in June.
More than 54,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel's ongoing military offensive, according to Gaza health officials.
The retaliatory campaign was in response to Hamas militants killing 1200 Israelis and capturing more than 250 hostages in October 2023.
Israel has imposed a naval blockade on the coastal enclave since Hamas took control of Gaza in 2007.
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ABC News
an hour ago
- ABC News
Israel accused of international law breach in storming Madleen aid ship
Lawyers for the crew of the civilian aid ship the 'Madleen' have accused Israel of breaching international law, storming the vessel off the coast of Egypt and arresting the crew in the early hours of the morning. The ship was trying to break Israel's blockade of Gaza by sea, and had been carrying a symbolic amount of aid when it was intercepted by Israeli forces. The Freedom Flotilla, the group which organised the voyage, and the crew's Israel-based lawyers said the ship was seized in international waters. They argued the crew, including 22 year old Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, should not have been taken to Israeli soil simply to be deported. "We're basically talking about people who were sailing in the international waters, and then Israel basically captured them and abducted them into Israel," lawyer Hadeel Abu Saleh said. "And even the legal procedure they are willing to take does not apply to them, because they are talking about illegal people who entered Israel illegally. "But the situation we're talking about now is a situation that Israel brought those people inside of Israel, and now they want to deport them based on the claims that they entered Israel illegally." Ms Abu Saleh made the remarks outside Ashdod Port, about halfway between Gaza and Israel's major population centre of Tel Aviv, where the 'Madleen' was expected to be taken. As the sun was setting, more than 12 hours after the interception occurred, the ship was still nowhere to be seen — fuelling speculation Israeli authorities would try to bring the vessel and crew into dock under the cover of darkness. Former Israel Defense Forces (IDF) senior lawyer, Dr Eran Shamir-Borer rejected the claim Israel acted unlawfully. He argued Israel had imposed a naval blockade on Gaza since 2009. "Once a naval blockade has been imposed there is a right, even an obligation, to enforce it," he told the ABC. "Enforcing could be done not just with respect to an actual breach of such a blockade, but also if is an attempted breach. "An attempted breach could be decided by way of the intention, declared intentions, stated intentions of those involved in the flotilla, those on board the vessel, and then you could just enforce this also on the high seas, actually from the moment when they have made their intentions clear that they want to breach a lawful naval blockade." Dr Shamir-Borer, now a director at the Israel Democracy Institute, insisted the naval blockade was also valid. He cited an inquiry by the United Nations in 2011 chaired by former New Zealand Prime Minister Geoffrey Palmer which found Israel was allowed to impose the measure to protect its security. That probe was prompted by the 2010 Mavi Marmara attack, when 9 people were killed as Israeli forces boarded a Turkish ship trying to deliver aid to Gaza. Another UN inquiry, by the Human Rights Council a year earlier, had found the blockade was unlawful. "Usually an enforcement of a naval blockade would take place on international waters, on the high seas the way that we call it under international law," Dr Shamir-Borer said. Israel's defense minister, Israel Katz had revealed authorities would force the 12 members of the 'Madleen' crew to watch a video of Hamas' deadly attacks against Israel on October 7 2023. The Israeli government's rhetoric about the ship sharpened in the hours after it was intercepted, labelling the crew "celebrities" seeking "selfies" for social media. Before the interception, Greta Thunberg said the voyage was about highlighting the plight of the Palestinian population and not about the individuals involved. Israeli authorities said the crew would be deported, but it was unclear how quickly that process would occur — particularly given direct flights to some destinations out of Tel Aviv were limited, given airlines reluctance to fly into the city while Houthi rebels in Yemen continued to fire missiles at Israel. Protests in support for the 'Madleen' erupted around the world, including in Sydney. In the UK supporters rallied outside the British Foreign Office in London, hearing that all contact with the ship had been lost in the early hours of the morning. "Our signals were cut, we had a variety of comms channels and all of them were attacked," Freedom Flotilla spokesperson James Godfrey said. "We managed to broadcast for a little bit longer than maybe they anticipated. But they were attacked. "Quadcopters [drones] appeared above us and they started spraying white chemicals over the boat and over the people, people took cover under some of the shelter as this bizarre white chemical got sprayed on them, strange noises were emitted by the quadcopters. " Six of the crew are French citizens, including Member of the European Parliament Rima Hassan. France's foreign minister said his country had sought assurances from Israel the crew members would be offered consular assistance after landing in Israel. "We had warned the participants in this flotilla well in advance of the risks they were exposing themselves to," Jean-Noel Barrot said in Nice. "But we also made our position very clear to the Israeli authorities to avoid any incident, and to inform them in advance of what we have since done — namely, express our intention to exercise our right to consular protection." Sweden's foreign minister said her country was monitoring the situation. "Currently, our assessment is that no one on board is in danger and that there is therefore no need for consular support at this stage," she told Sweden's Parliament. "However, we and the embassy in Tel Aviv are in contact with local authorities and are also following the situation closely. "Should the need for consular assistance arise, we will assess how we can best help."
The Age
2 hours ago
- The Age
‘Prisoner's dilemma': How China is using the West to try and rule the skies
For example, China's strategy has been to require Western companies to set up co-production facilities within China, where technical knowledge can either be shared or acquired legally or illegally. Airbus, active in China since 1994, operates a final assembly line facility in Tianjin, as well as an R&D Centre and Airbus China Innovation Centre. It will soon open a second assembly line in Tianjin. 'All Airbus sites around the world have robust systems in place to protect intellectual property rights and data,' a company spokesman said. Should COMAC eventually succeed in producing cheaper, competitive jets at scale, the competitive landscape for Boeing and Airbus will change dramatically. 'Airbus welcomes competition, and the entry of COMAC in the market will not affect our commitment to continue working with our customers, partners and suppliers in China,' the company said. The people who are most willing to talk about China's aggressive technology acquisition are not COMAC or Boeing, but the people concerned about the relative power of democracies in the face of China. Emily de La Bruyère, a senior fellow at the US-based Foundation for Defence of Democracies, believes Western aerospace companies are mistaken for partnering with China in their commercial aerospace programs. They are 'incredibly short-termist and blind for ignoring the consequences of their action', de La Bruyère told this masthead. (Airbus rejects the claim of being 'short-term' focused, pointing to its history in China dating back to 1994.) De La Bruyère believes Western aerospace companies face a 'prisoner's dilemma' in China. If any single aerospace company pulls out of China over intellectual property theft fears, they will get punished financially, she says. But their individual action won't stop the larger trend of China's forced technology transfers, industrial espionage and hacking. So the Western companies are 'sowing the seeds of China destroying their [the companies'] markets all over the world for the sake of what is a very short window of access to the Chinese market'. Engine-makers GE Aerospace and Safran were contacted for comment. A market looms Although the price of the C919 has reportedly come in higher than expected, expectations are that if it can be built at enough scale, it would eventually undercut the price of giants Airbus and Boeing. As Michael O'Leary, chief executive of the ultra-low cost Irish carrier Ryanair, put it recently: 'The Chinese are basically building a f---ing A320. So if it was cheap enough – 10 or 20 per cent cheaper than an Airbus aircraft – then we'd order it,' he told aviation publication Skift in May. To eventually establish a large position in the market, COMAC must have a customer base. COMAC has successfully sold a smaller, 80-seat regional jet, the C909, to airlines in South-East Asia: Lao Airline, VietJet, TransNusa (of Indonesia) and soon GallopAir of Brunei. Alton Aviation Consultancy's Beijing-based Jiang Shuai notes: 'If C919 can be successfully operated in Asia, the track record will support COMAC's C919 future sales outside of Asia.' Focus on Asia As for the continued technological development of COMAC's aircraft, China's experience in other industries is instructive. When Western bans on telco equipment-maker Huawei hobbled its exports into developed markets in 2018, the company pivoted to the Global South, where governments were less fussed by the prospect of security concerns. CSIS's Kennedy notes that regulators in most of the world still only consider purchasing aircraft certified by the FAA or the EASA. As for the Huawei example, 'there is no comparable Western-based regulator of telecom equipment'. 'Neither [the FAA nor EASA] has certified or is likely to certify the C919 any time soon because of concerns over safety,' Kennedy says. Yet demand for new jets is real. After years of supply disruptions, difficulty in sourcing parts, and the impact of COVID, the backlog to be delivered to airlines exceeds 17,000 planes, says the International Air Transport Association. Boeing is still contending with the aftermath of two 737 Max jetliner crashes that killed 346 people, blamed on the botched rollout of a software system. Production restrictions have slowed Boeing's all-important 737 further. Alton Aviation's Shuai says: 'Given Boeing's and Airbus' supply chain issues and delayed deliveries, we expect Chinese airlines to continue to demand and take deliveries of C909 and C919 aircraft. 'Domestic demand is sufficient to fill COMAC's production rates for the next few years.' Efficiency matters The economics of aviation are not just the upfront costs of planes. Earnings in commercial aviation are underpinned by ever more inexpensive planes to operate in fleets. Each new plane model must be a full 20-30 per cent more efficient than the last to stay profitable over its lifetime. If COMAC produces a structurally less efficient and more costly plane, it will saddle buyers with more expenses, making the plane less competitive. Yet China is determined to achieve what Aboulafia refers to as 'autonomous (or autarkic) aviation power', autarky being complete economic self-sufficiency. Aboulafia has testified that China hopes to introduce a fully Chinese version of the C919, which includes the hardest part, 'all-Chinese engines', around 2035. With this trajectory, China will be closer to its goal, aided deeply by Western aerospace companies, says Foundation for Defence of Democracy's de La Bruyère. 'Early on, maybe it was harder to see a future in which China would be able to develop real, competitive technology in the field,' she said, so the logic of engaging in China 'maybe made a little more sense'. Loading 'But the fact that the partnerships continue despite China's proven and advancing capabilities, proven intention to disrupt the incumbents and methods of doing all that, is fundamentally destructive for them.' Asked what's wrong with China succeeding in the commercial aerospace, de La Bruyère said Western businesses fundamentally misunderstand the concept of success to the Chinese Communist Party. 'The CCP has a different vision for what industrial and technological success means. 'It's not profit, it's control.'
News.com.au
7 hours ago
- News.com.au
Sussan Ley to deliver National Press Club address, first Liberal leader to do so since Scott Morrison
Sussan Ley will give a significant speech at the National Press Club in a move aimed to distance herself from her predecessor Peter Dutton. The Opposition Leader is set to outline her vision for the new-look Liberal Party after it suffered its worst election result, with the Coalition reduced to a paltry 43 seats compared with Labor's 94. However, Ms Ley is not expected to share any new policy announcements, with the party still reviewing its agenda following May's blistering loss. Instead, she will detail how the Liberals will aim to win back voters ahead of the next federal poll due in 2028. 'Addressing the National Press Club is an important opportunity to talk to Australians about the work the Liberal Party will do over the next three years to reflect, respect and represent modern Australia,' she said, ahead of her appearance on June 25. 'Aspiration is the thread that connects every single part of Australian society and by focusing on that, the Liberal Party can once again earn the trust of communities across the country.' Anthony Albanese will address the National Press Club on Tuesday, with his speech set to detail Labor's second-term agenda. The Prime Minister was critical of former opposition leader Peter Dutton of eschewing addressing the club, accusing him of being 'unwilling to face up to the scrutiny'. The speeches are generally televised live and speakers are expected to answer questions from journalists following their remarks. 'For a leader, being here in the last week of the election campaign is more than a matter of respect for tradition,' Mr Albanese told the club a week before the May 3 federal election. 'Standing here is about taking responsibility for your plans. Being here is about being accountable, to the people, to the democratic process.' Ms Ley will also be the first female major party leader to address the National Press Club since Julia Gillard, who fronted the venue prior to Labor's losing election in 2013. Ms Ley will also be first Liberal leader to do so since the appearance of then prime minister Scott Morrison in 2022.
