New low for Labor-Jewish relations after Sydney leader declines Prime Minister invite

He was seen side-by-side with the NSW Premier, but on the same day declined to attend an announcement with Anthony Albanese in a sign of the strained relationships between the government and Labor.

Relations between Labor and sections of the Jewish community have hit a new low, with one of Sydney’s senior Jewish figures not attending an announcement with the Prime Minister as the government prepared to shift its stance on Israel and Palestine at the United Nations vote.

NSW Jewish Board of Deputies President David Ossip had been invited to attend the Sydney Jewish Museum alongside Anthony Albanese, senior Minister Tanya Plibersek and Wentworth MP Allegra Spender at a snap press conference in the wake of the Woollahra arson and graffiti attack.

In a sign of the declining relations between parts of the Jewish community and Labor, a media report that Australia could shift its stance towards a more pro-Palestine position led to Mr Ossip not attending.

“I have only the greatest of respect for the office of Prime Minister and appreciate the donation to the Museum but I couldn’t bring myself to go and hear the Prime Minister talk about anti-Semitism whilst his Government plots further policy moves against Israel,” Mr Ossip told The Daily Telegraph.

Mr Ossip added he wouldn’t attend the press conference while the Prime Minister “fails to rein in his Foreign Minister who continues to use incendiary, demonising and provocative rhetoric which endangers the Jewish community”.

Chris Minns, Premier of New South Wales, David Ossip, President of the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies and Rabbi Mendel Kastel OAM, CEO of Jewish House, watch on during a press conference at Bondi to comment on the antisemitic vandalism of property that occurred overnight in Woollahra. Picture: NewsWire / Gaye Gerard

Mr Ossip had earlier on Wednesday stood at a press conference with Premier Chris Minns and NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb.

The comments came before the United Nations General Assembly vote, which happend on Thursday morning.

And as Mr Ossip feared, Australia has since backed supporting UN relief agency UNRWA, which has been criticised for reported links with terrorist group Hamas.

Holocaust survivors Eddie Friedlander, Professor Mark Spigelman and Egon Sonnenschein watch as Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese speaks at the Sydney Jewish museum. Picture: NewsWire / John Appleyard

Australia also voted to back a vote demanding a ceasefire in Gaza, on Thursday morning.

While the ceasefire motion include the need the immediate release of Israeli hostages still held in Gaza, it does not condemn Hamas or demand the terror group lay down its arms — two points Australia was made in its vote explanation.

Head of Education at the Sydney Jewish Museum Sandy Hollis shows , Prime minister Anthony Albanese a propaganda display Picture: NewsWire / John Appleyard

Labor has been criticised by Jewish groups and the Coalition for not aligning with the US and Israel on key Middle East votes, with the government instead opting to support any resolution that broadly aligns with the goal of a peaceful two-state solution.

The Prime Minister, when asked if reports the government was shifting its position on Israel, maintained there was “no change” to Australia’s stance.

Chris Minns, Premier of New South Wales, Karen Webb, NSW Police Commissioner, David Ossip, President of the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies and Rabbi Mendel Kastel OAM, CEO of Jewish House, arrive for a press conference at Bondi to comment on the antisemitic vandalism of property that occurred overnight in Woollahra. Picture: NewsWire / Gaye Gerard

“Australia’s position is we support a two state solution,” he said.

“(Our position includes) the right of Israel to exist in secure borders. I also have been a long term supporter of Palestinian state and I think though very clearly that cannot involve Hamas.”

When asked detailed questions on whether Australia was going to shift its position on Israel, the Prime Minister’s office referred to his earlier comments.

Mr Albanese also defended foreign Minister Penny Wong, who was involved in a stoush with Coalition home affairs spokesman James Paterson throughout the week.

Ms Wong in a speech on Monday had said it “is not anti-Semitic to expect that Israel should comply with the international law that applies to all countries”, saying Russia and China were expected to abide by those rules as well.

Mr Paterson subsequently told Sky News that comparing Israel to Russia and China was “an outrageous slur”.