‘Un-Australian’: Nova Peris slams Palestinian use of Aboriginal flag

Former MP Nova Peris wants the misappropriation of Aboriginal culture at pro-Palestinian protests stamped out. And she’s not the only one | WATCH the video

Former Federal MP Nova Peris has won applause for a viral video taking aim at the use of the Aboriginal flag by pro-Palestine protesters, with prominent Indigenous leader Warren Mundine calling her comments “spot on.”

“The Jewish Australian community has been Indigenous Australians’ greatest supporters for decades. Through Land Rights, Native Title, 1967 referendum,” Mr Mundine said.

“We have been shoulder to shoulder in our struggles. We understand the struggles of Indigenous people as Indigenous Australians and Indigenous Israelis.”

In the social media video, Ms Peris slammed the misappropriation of Aboriginal culture at pro-Palestinian protests, describing the behaviour as “un-Australian”

In a strongly worded statement on social media- Ms Peris claimed she was “saddened” to see the Aboriginal flag misappropriated by “Palestinian, anti-Israel and anti-Jewish groups”.

Warren Mundine, left, Nova Peris, centre, and Julian Leeser have all spoken out against the use of the Aboriginal flag in anti-Israel protests. Pictures: News Corp/Supplied

“Who gave outright, free, prior and informed consent to use OUR flag for your cause,” she said.

“How can we allow people to shout out F the Jews” whilst burning flags on the steps of the Sydney Opera House.

“How can we not call this out and stamp this out?”

The former Labor Senator — who represented Australia at the Olympics in both hockey and athletics — argued it was a lie that Jewish people “have no connection to the land of Israel.”

“I’m saddened to see our sacred Aboriginal flag, a flag which I fought so hard to be returned to the Aboriginal community be misappropriated by Palestinian, anti-Israel and anti-Jewish groups in Australia.

“This behaviour is un-Australian. The Jewish people in Australia have been the most committed friends and allies of my people for decades.

Nova Peris. Picture: Brendan Beckett

“And I absolutely refuse to stand by and let anyone deny these truths.”

Ms Peris has been a long-time campaigner of Indigenous rights and led the fight for the Aboriginal flag to be back in public hands.

Palestinian protesters were invited to “Invasion Day” rallies on January 26, with one speaker at the Sydney event saying: “We want freedom from Gaza to Gadigal.”

Indigenous leader Warren Mundine slammed the move on Australia Day, describing it as “bizarre” and “disgraceful.

“It’s quite disgraceful that on a day we should be celebrating this nation, we have people picking sides in a war in the Middle East.”

Berowra MP Julian Leeser, who stepped down from the Coalition front bench to support the Voice to Parliament campaign last year, said “Nova Peris, like the great William Cooper did in his day, is speaking out for one of the moral issues of our time: the right of the State of Israel to exist.”

“Nova and I don’t agree on everything – she is an avid republican and I am a staunch monarchist. She was a Labor Senator and I’m a Liberal MP – but she embodies that old Australian idea that what unites us as Australians is stronger and more enduring than what divides us.”

“Her principled and moral stance standing with Jewish Australians will never be forgotten by Jewish Australians.”

“I applaud Nova Peris, as well as Marcia Langton, Sean Gordon and Warren Mundine for standing with Jewish Australians during a time when anti-Semitism is on the rise,” he said.

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