APAN President Nasser Mashni, who cannot unequivocally condemn Hamas’ October 7th atrocities, is up to his old tricks. After a vile anti-Israel demonstration last week at a Melbourne hotel housing a special delegation of families of Israeli hostages and victims
We are hoping this isn't true because it's so messed up.
— Australian Jewish Association (@AustralianJA) November 29, 2023
Receiving reports that antisemites are protesting at a hotel they claim families of kidnapped Israelis are staying in Melbourne.
These people's families were kidnapped by terrorists.
This is a new low even for the… pic.twitter.com/40iLqqgo65
was widely condemned, Mashni could not bring himself to simply condemn the demonstration. Instead, we got his usual whataboutism.
The Australia Palestine Advocacy Network (APAN), who advocate for Australian policy to support Palestine, said it was unaware of last night’s protest at Crowne Plaza in Melbourne until reports surfaced this morning.
APAN President Nasser Mashni said he empathised with the concern of families staying at the hotel.
“We also understand their pain in being separated from their loved ones – for 75 years, millions of Palestinians have felt that very same ache in their hearts, having been displaced from their homeland and disconnected from their family members,” APAN President Nasser Mashni said.
“It is vital that the thousands of Palestinian political prisoners held in Israeli jails – many of them for years, without charge – and the Israeli hostages are released and reunited with their loved ones.
“However, it’s indefensible that the Israeli government should bring these families here to exploit the stories and experiences in order to justify its ongoing killing of, and war crimes against, Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank.
“If the Australian Government has the power to use its influence to see the release of Israeli hostages, it must use that very same power to pressure Israel to commit to an immediate, permanent ceasefire, to end its blockade of Gaza, and its occupation of the West Bank.”
I also suspect – and it is only a suspicion – that Mashni knew full well about the planned protest. He might have even helped plan it. He was very quick to point out he knew nothing about it. Then there’s this statement by the demonstrators:
Statement from the group of pro-Palestinian supporters who went to Crowne Plaza last night (Wednesday) 1/2 pic.twitter.com/bo83BQz17r
— WACA (@akaWACA) November 30, 2023
Why did they feel the need to mention they were an “autonomous group”? It is almost as if they were instructed to say this to dissociate themselves from APAN. APAN is one of the largest anti-Israel groups in Australia, and I doubt many of the planned protests there would not get their go-ahead.
Also bear in mind, one of their tactics is dishonesty.
Whether or not Mashni knew about it in advance, the fact he cannot unequivocally condemn the indefensible says it all about his character.
