RUA PARTY MEDIA RELEASE  6 March 2012

BENGHAZI WAR GRAVES DESCECRATED – ARE THESE THE SO CALLED DEMOCRATIC FREEDOM FIGHTERS?

The Federal Government this morning confirmed that the graves of Australian soldiers who fought and died for freedom in on Libyan soil were among the 198 which were desecrated at the Benghazi War Cemetery recently. These were Aussies who fought heavy battles against the Germans and Italians to halt the aggressive march of the Nazis in World War 11.

The armed men, believed to be either Wahhabists or Salifists Islamists, had the audacity to post a video clip of their rampage on You tube, in which they could be heard saying “This one is a Christian”…  “These are dogs” and “Allahu Akbar” (God is greater) as they kicked down and desecrated the headstones of fallen soldiers.

There are reports that these despicable actions are in response to the burning of a Koran by US troops in Afghanistan.  This caused Rise Up Australia President Daniel Nalliah to ask in Melbourne today “Are These The So Called Islamic Democratic Freedom Fighters? Why do Islamists attack and insult the memory of those who have fought for their freedom?”

Among those brave soldiers buried in Libya were the famed Desert Rats. Mr Nalliah said “This is not just a war museum, there are over 60 Rats of Tobruk still living today, and these headstones are the graves of their mates with whom they fought. There will be many diggers in Australia who will be shocked, disgusted and grieved over this terrible act of vandalism.”

Graves in the cemetery were those of servicemen from Britain, Australia, Canada, South Africa and India bearing inscriptions that showed the fallen were Christians, Jews and Muslims, symbolising the unity of the various races and religions that fought alongside each other for freedom against the Nazis. They weren’t only soldiers. One of the names on a dislodged headstone was Rev Geoffrey Bond, a chaplain to the forces who died in March 1941, aged 30.

“It seems that hard line Islamists are driven by a hatred of anyone who does not agree with their doctrine” said Mr Nalliah. “Why desecrate the grave of a man who gave his life to bring spiritual comfort to those on the battlefield?”

Although the National Transitional Council in Libya has reportedly moved to find and arrest those responsible, a report from Al Jezeera this morning questioned their ability to regulate these violent jihadists, saying “…a minority of hard line Islamists, who are opposed to any non-Muslim presence and in some cases have formed into heavily armed groups, have gained ground since Gaddafi’s 42 year rule ended last August. The government in Tripoli has struggled to assert authority over these groups” (http://www.aljazeera.com/africa/2012/03)

Mr Nalliah, who is running for Federal parliament at the next election, is fighting to keep this type of radical Islamic element from having an influence in Australia. “We are already seeing the beginnings of Islamization in this nation,” he said. While Mr Nalliah fought and won a five year battle for freedom of speech when taken to Court by the Islamic Council of Victoria, he said “It was nothing compared to the ultimate sacrifice these diggers made for freedom and our hearts go out to the friends and relatives of those fallen servicemen who have been so grievously insulted by this act of desecration”.

Mr Nalliah is available for comment.

Please phone Media Officer Dennis O’Brien on 0427 912 411 to arrange an interview