Results of the ballot regarding a statement on Israel and Palestine

Following a request from members, the AAS held a ballot of all current members in March 2025 on a proposed statement on Israel and Palestine. The ballot was open for two weeks (7-21 March). Members were asked to vote on each of six component parts of the statement. Each statement part required a simple majority of votes cast (>50%) in order to be passed. Following the ballot, the returning officer determined that each of the statement parts had been passed.

Of the eligible 433 current members, 128 members (29.56%) participated in the ballot.

We, the Executive Committee of the Australian Anthropological Society, stand with humanity in condemning violence against civilians wherever it occurs throughout the world. As anthropologists committed to pursuing and practically applying knowledge about human social and cultural experience, we stand for and champion the human capacity for understanding, openness, and peaceful conflict resolution.

We express our deep concerns about the devastating incidents in Israel and Gaza in October 2023. We stand against the kidnapping of civilians and the bombing of civilian residential areas, hospitals, and universities. We express solidarity with Israeli and Palestinian scholars, activists, and students upholding human rights. We condemn Islamophobic and Antisemitic words and actions in Australia and beyond.

We were recently asked on our view of the current Voice to Parliament debate. This important debate must be led by Indigenous peoples and communities, and views across communities vary. We therefore do not take a specific position.

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The AAS expresses its sincere condolences for the recent passing of Jeremy Beckett and pays respects to his family and friends.

It is with grief and condolences that the AAS says vale Uncle Jack Charles...

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AlterNative is the International Journal of Indigenous Peoples. Vol. 18(2) Special Issue: Activist Anthropological Scholarship with, and as, Indigenous People in the Global South. Now available online.