Muslim senator Fatima Payman condemns Israel in war with Palestine

A Labor senator has slammed the “killing of innocent civilians in Palestine” amidst a growing controversy in the House of Representatives over a Greens attempt to water down a motion in support of Israel.

A Labor senator has slammed the “killing of innocent civilians in Palestine” amidst a growing controversy in the House of Representatives over a Greens attempt to water down a motion in support of Israel that was controversially backed by two Sydney teal MPs.

On Tuesday, teal MPs Sophie Scamps and Kylea Tink were harshly criticised by their fellow independents as well as Coalition members after they voted with the Greens on Monday to water down a motion supporting Israel.

Later in the day, 28-year-old Muslim Labor senator Fatima Payman called for an “immediate ceasefire”.

“Israeli missiles strike residential dwellings, civilians, multistorey apartments, health facilities as well as places of worship indiscriminately killing men, women and children. We must condemn it,” she told the Senate.

“The price tag of Israel’s right to defend itself cannot be the destruction of Palestine.”

Senator Fatima Payman spoke out in parliament. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

“Israel’s right to defend its civilians cannot equate to the annihilation of Palestinian civilians.”

Her comments came on the second day of parliament since Hamas terrorists invaded Israel 10 days ago, killing more than a thousand civilians.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese moved an amendment condemning the attack and supporting Israel’s right to self defence, but an amendment was moved by the Greens and endorsed by Scamps and Tink, seeking to remove the words, “Australia stands with Israel and recognises its inherent right to defend itself.”

The move by the two teals, who eventually did vote with the original motion, was condemned by fellow teal MP Allegra Spender, who represents the Sydney eastern suburbs seat of Wentworth, who said she had “spoken” to the pair.

“I was absolutely appalled that the Greens voted against the Prime Minister’s motion in support of Israel,” Ms Spender said.

“I find that beyond comprehension … I’ve spoken to (Scamps and Tink) about my concerns and the concerns of my community, and I am pleased they voted in support of the motion for Israel.”

Kylea Tink. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

“Israel has a clear right to defend itself from Hamas,” she said.

Fellow Victorian teal Zoe Daniel also said she “disagrees emphatically” with those who supported the amendment.

Opposition foreign affairs minister Simon Birmingham said that Scamps and Tink “seem to be ignoring the reality that Hamas is a terrorist organisation that targeted civilians, including murdering babies and children in the most horrific way”.

“Rather than making misleading claims about their actions the Teal MPs should apologise for their insult to all of those feeling pain as a result of the attacks on Israel.”

NSW Senator Andrew Bragg said that the decision by Scamps and Tink to back the Greens’ amendment showed that “they cannot be taken seriously”.

Senator Simon Birmingham. Picture: NCA NewsWIRE / John Gass

“Their decision to support the Greens’ efforts to remove our solidarity with Israel from the motion shows moral weakness,” he said.

“They have disgraced themselves by equivocating on a moral issue.”

Speaking about the move to water down the motion, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton told 3AW’s Neil Mitchell Tuesday that he was “really blown away by it.”

“The Greens are predictable because they were always going to be voting the way they did, but for the Teals to cross over and vote with them and against Israel is quite remarkable.”

In a statement, the Australian Israel and Jewish Affairs Council said they “expressed deep disappointment and anger that the Australian Greens party, along with two Teals and an independent, not only refused to support Israel’s right to self-defence, but sought to condemn Israel for fighting back against Hamas’ murderous brutality.”