Teals split as Labor MP breaks ranks on Israel in Parliament

A failed Greens attempt to amend a motion supporting Israel’s “right to defend itself” to include condemnation of its “war crimes” has triggered political division.

Victorian MP Zoe Daniel has joined a group of fellow Teals opposing a Greens-led push to condemn Israel for war crimes, signalling a widening local political split over the Israel-Gaza war.

This came as Labor Senator Fatima Payman broke party ranks to declare Australia should also condemn Israel’s killing of Palestinian civilians, after the government passed a motion condemning Hamas’ assault on Israel.

Signalling a break away from Labor’s stance on the war, Senator Payman called for an “immediate ceasefire” and for parliament to condemn Israeli missile strikes “indiscriminately killing men, women and children.”

“The international community loudly and proudly condemned Russia’s occupation of Ukraine when it started attacking Ukraine in 2014,” Ms Payman told the Senate.

“Yet today the world watches as the state of Israel deprives the entire population - men, women and children, of the basic necessities of life - food, water, electricity, gas and medicines.

“We must condemn it.”

Senator Payman called for an “immediate ceasefire” as war violence escalates in the middle-east. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Divisions over rhetoric grew after Teal MPs Kylea Tink and Sophie Scamps joined the Greens and independent Andrew Wilkie to amend a parliamentary motion condemning Hamas’ attack to also denounce “war crimes perpetrated by the State of Israel.”

This drew heavy criticism, including from Teal Goldstein MP Zoe Daniel who stated she “emphatically” disagreed with her colleagues.

“Without hesitation, I voted for the motion which appropriately condemned, in the strongest possible terms, Hamas’ massacre of innocent Israelis. I did not agree with those who supported the Greens’ amendment,” Ms Daniel said.

The death toll in Israel has surged above 1,200 following the worst attack in the country's 75-year history, while Gaza officials have reported that more than 2,800 people killed so far. Picture: Jack Guez/AFP.

“Israel has a right to self-defence in line with the rules of war, which would include protection of civilians in Gaza, reiterating what I have said publicly, repeatedly and emphatically.”

Kooyong MP Dr Monique Ryan also moved against her Teal colleagues, arguing she voted for the motion “without hesitation”

“I did not agree with those who supported the Greens’ amendment,” Dr Ryan said.

Defence Minister Richard Marles said the Greens’ amendment was “completely despicable”, while Opposition Leader Peter Dutton said he was “blown away” by the motion.

The Greens’ amendment was eventually voted down 107 to seven. The original motion passed by an overwhelming 134 votes to four.

Originally published as Teals split as Labor MP breaks ranks on Israel in Parliament