Islamic preacher who praised Hamas terror attack on Israel revealed as early Voice backer

A Sydney imam who praised the Voice to Parliament as part of the nation’s “healing process” has come out in support Hamas’s brutal weekend attack on Israel, calling it “a day of happiness”

A Sydney imam who praised the Voice to Parliament as being an important part of the nation’s “healing process” has come out in support Hamas’s brutal weekend attack on Israel, calling it “a day of happiness … a day of pride … a day of victory.”

At a pro-Palestine rally in Lakemba Sunday night, Imam Ibrahim Dadoun praised Hamas fighters who breached Israel’s defences, slaughtering and killing Jewish civilians.

“My brothers, My sisters, I’m smiling, and I’m happy, I’m elated,” he told the crowd according to multiple media reports.

“It’s a day of courage, it’s a day of happiness, it’s a day of pride, it’s a day of victory.”

“This is the day we’ve been waiting for … 75 years … 75 years of occupation.”

“What yesterday happened was the first time our brothers and sisters broke through the largest prison alive,” he told the crowd of Palestine supporters, many of whom were heard chanting, “Allahu Akbar” (God is great).

Sheik Ibrahim Dadoun at a rally showing support of Palestine, in Lakemba

Last year, shortly after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s election, Imam Dadoun attended an interfaith meeting at Barangaroo where he praised the proposed Voice to Parliament, saying that it had been “an important talking point” in his community during the election.

“We say it’s very important as it’s part of the healing process in regards to coming to terms with what happened with the Aboriginal community [since] 1770,” he said.

Protesters rally in favour of Palestine at Lakemba. It follows a Hamas attack on Israel. Picture: TNV

Meanwhile the Lakemba-based Lebanese Muslim Association slammed Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for the government’s support of Israel in the wake of the attacks, which have seen hundreds of Israelis killed including many attending a music festival and dozens kidnapped and taken to Gaza.

It also sought to draw a link between the Palestinian and Aboriginal causes.

In a statement the LMA said, “We wish to make it clear that we do not agree with the Prime Minister or indeed any politician or political party when they make a statement regarding Palestine, that ‘Israel has the right to defend itself.’”

“The LMA sees the trials and tribulations suffered by Australia’s First Nations people in the 235 years since British settlement commenced as being similar to the more than 75 years of persecution inflicted on the people of Palestine by Israel, its army and its police.”