Greens MP Michael Berkman compares Israel’s Gaza ‘genocide’ with white Australians’ treatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders

The only surviving Greens MP likened the “genocide” against Palestine by Israel to the “genocide” against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders by white Australians.

Greens MP Michael Berkman. Picture: Lachie Millard

In an astonishing outburst in Queensland parliament this week the only surviving Greens MP likened the “genocide” against Palestine by Israel to the “genocide” against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders by white Australians.

The inflammatory comments came from Member for Maiwar, Michael Berkman, whose electorate straddles suburbs including Indooroopilly, Auchenflower and Toowong.

He said he worked alongside First Nations leaders to address wrongs of 237 years of colonisation.

“It is a statement of solidarity with people everywhere who are enduring the ongoing impacts of colonisation, like the Palestinian people who are still facing war, violence and genocide at the hands of the colonising Israeli state.”

He added: “I take the opportunity to remind members of the direct role that this Parliament has played in supporting and funding the manufacture of weapons that have killed tens of thousands of innocent civilians in Gaza and in other foreign conflicts. I remind members of this parliament and the other institutions of government in Queensland that, since their inception, we have engaged in a program of systemic racism, violence and genocide against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and the systemic racism and violence continues.”