CPA applauds award of
Sydney Peace Prize to Hanan Ashrawi

The Central Committee of the Communist Party of Australia 
(CPA) applauds the decision by an independent jury to award the 
Sydney Peace Prize to Hanan Ashrawi and congratulates the 
organisers, the Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies and its 
Director, Professor Stuart Rees.

The CPA congratulates Hanan Ashrawi on her award and honours her 
struggles for justice for her people, the Palestinians. In the 
terrible situation which exists in Israel/Palestine, Hanan 
Ashrawi has been a consistent rational voice for negotiation not 
violence between Israel and Palestine, for peace and for justice.

The CPA condemns the campaign being waged against awarding the 
Peace Prize to Hanan Ashrawi and the individuals and 
organisations in Sydney who have wilted in the face of this 
vicious opposition. The Lord Mayor of Sydney, the City of Sydney 
Council, and the University of Sydney Council have in different 
ways acted to prevent the award being given to Hanan Ashrawi.

Those who support Hanan Ashrawi are not anti-semitic but support 
peace and human rights. Those who are orchestrating the hate 
campaign against Hanan Ashrawi and the Palestinians should not be 
permitted to undermine work for peace and social justice 
undertaken by many people around the world.

* * *

Statement made by the Central Committee of the CPA
at its meeting October 25-26, 2003