Letter

In response to Recognising Palestine a long overdue act of courage

Courage or humanity?

It’s not courageous to recognise Palestine – it’s humane, necessary and a long-overdue step toward equality. Australia has to go further, following the example of Spain and Italy, and show that real friendship between countries is built on justice, not silence in the face of oppression.

Standing up for the rights of Palestinians is not about fear of “rewarding terrorism” – it’s about saying that no people should ever be denied dignity, safety or statehood. Real courage isn’t measured by loyalty to powerful allies but by the willingness to defend humanity, even when it comes at political or other cost.

Recognition is the absolute baseline. What comes next will reveal whether Australia is prepared to consistently defend equality and justice for all.

— Meg Schwarz from Macclesfired, Adelaide