At a hearing in Australia, a witness questioned Israel's legitimacy
During hearings of the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion in Australia, a Sydney-based lawyer, researcher, and advisor to the Australian Muslim Advocacy Network, Rita Jabri Markwell, questioned the legitimacy of the State of Israel, according to ABC News Australia.
Commissioner Virginia Bell asked Markwell whether she recognized the legitimacy of Israel’s existence at the time of its recognition by the UN General Assembly in 1948. The witness replied that she had no specific position regarding the timing of the declaration. At the same time, she stated that, in her opinion as a human rights lawyer, a state based on illegal occupation, apartheid, and genocide cannot be considered legitimate.
Markwell also said she was expressing a political opinion and emphasized the need to discuss how to ensure human rights for all people in the region. Israel has repeatedly denied accusations of genocide.
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Prior to this, Nicholas Bender, SC, a representative of several Jewish organizations, questioned Markwell about her post on the Substack platform regarding Zionism. He suggested that the text implied her assessment of Zionism as a form of violent extremism. Markwell agreed with this interpretation and said that her position is grounded in research.
According to Markwell, Zionism involves the dehumanization of other groups. She cited her work with the University of Queensland, which identifies dehumanization as a defining characteristic of violent extremist movements. At the same time, the witness rejected Bender’s suggestion that her interpretation allegedly implies that all Zionists are violent extremists.
The hearing also discussed an article by student Mia Klein, who had previously testified before the commission and claimed that she was evicted from university housing because she is a Zionist. In her article, Klein wrote that she supports the two-state solution, Palestinian rights, peace, and coexistence, and also criticizes Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Israel Defense Forces. Markwell said she shares those values but does not see how they align with her understanding of Zionism.
