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Australian speaking tour of 'anti-Israel' UN official causes anger

Members of Melbourne's Jewish community have reacted angrily to the ongoing speaking engagements of staunch pro-Palestinian and United Nations official Richard Falk.

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Richard Falk.(Getty)

1 min read

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Updated

By Luke Waters

Source: SBS


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Melbourne's fickle weather has all-but extinguished a proposed protest against a controversial pro-Palestinian speaker.

 

Professor Richard Falk is the United Nations Rapporteur for human rights in the Palestinian territories, and is currently on an Australian speaking tour.

 

This morning the 82-year-old  fronted a crowd at the University of Melbourne, maintaining his busy speaking schedule and his controversial views.

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He told SBS "It is true that Israel has been responsible for the continuous oppression and abuse of the Palestinian people."

 

A few months ago, Professor Falk earned a reprimand from UN chief Ban Ki Moon over comments linking the Boston bombings to US foreign policy, but Mr Falks says the comments were taken out of context.

 

David Schulberg from Melbourne's Jewish community says he's offended by Professor Falk's views, telling SBS: "He is considered a bigot and an extremist in the Jewish community, his views are extremely objectionable"

"He does not do anything to assist the cause of peace resolution in the Middle East."

For the full story, click the video above.


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