Chris Minns wants ‘one voice’ on Israel, Palestine
Premier Chris Minns has urged his government to speak with “one voice” after 16 Labor MPs broke ranks to sign a NSW Parliamentary Friends of Palestine letter.
NSW
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NSW Premier Chris Minns has issued a stern message to his own MPs after a handful of Labor politicians signed a letter from the NSW Parliamentary Friends of Palestine group.
The Premier said the government should speak with “one voice” about such issues.
“I would prefer they not sign letters like that,” he said.
“I think it’s important in times like today that the NSW government speak with one voice.”
Sixteen Labor MPs signed the letter, which called on the Australian government to compel Israel to “comply with international humanitarian law”.
“The terrible acts of terror committed by Hamas are deeply inhumane,” the letter said.
“We call for the immediate release of hostages and reiterate our condemnation of all violence against civilians.”
The friendship group is co-chaired by Labor’s Julia Finn and Greens MP Jenny Leong. Just a single Liberal, member for Holsworthy Tina Ayyad, supported the letter.
Mr Minns said the government would “deal with it”, and said he was worried it would put pressure on other MPs who didn’t sign.
“Our obligation is to keep the community close together and maintain peace and order on the streets of Sydney,” he said.
“Now, when there are major international events like the ones we’ve seen over the last week, I think it’s probably too much to expect that these international events will pull the community together, but we have to be careful that it doesn’t pull us apart.”
The Premier has come out in strong support of Israel’s right to defend itself since the attack by Hamas on October 7.
His statement came after two federal Labor MPs — ministers Ed Husic and Anne Aly — voiced their concerns that Palestinians were being mistreated as a result of the conflict.
Mr Husic told ABC Radio National that Palestinians were being “collectively punished here for Hamas’ barbarism”.
Ms Aly said Australian Muslims had told her they feel unheard.
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