Labor facing ‘deep division’ over terror response as cracks appear in Israel stance, says Peter Dutton

Divisions are appearing in Labor’s once-united stance of support for Israel, with senior MPs questioning the brutality of the war on the Gaza Strip. Here’s how it is playing out.

A group of 20 NSW politicians has issued a statement condemning Hamas’ “terrible acts of terror” as “deeply inhumane,” while calling on the government to urge “all actors” to follow international law.

In a statement, the NSW Parliamentary Friends of Palestine group said it was “deeply alarmed by the unfolding catastrophic humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip which is putting at risk millions of people who were not involved in the acts of terror by Hamas”.

The group called for an “immediate release of hostages,” and condemned “all violence against civilians”.

It called on the Australian government to urge “all actors, including the state of Israel, to comply with international humanitarian law”.

“We urge Australia to support the innocent citizens of Gaza and do its part to urge the authorities to allow urgent relief, essential supplies and aid workers to enter Gaza safely and to ensure a safe passage for those fleeing the violence.

“We stand with Palestine and the Palestinian-Australian community who are currently facing a catastrophic crisis,” the statement said.

The Parliamentary Friends of Palestine is co-chaired by Labor MP Julia Finn and Green MP Jenny Leong.

A number of Labor MPs are part of the friendship group, as are all NSW Greens MPs. Liberal MP for Holsworthy Tina Ayyad is also a member.

Cracks appear in Labor’s Israel support

Earlier today, cracks had already begun to appear in Labor’s previously united support for Israel, with a number of high profile MPs moving to speak out in favour of Palestine while calling for limits on Israel’s military response to brutal Hamas terror attacks.

On Thursday morning Industry Minister Ed Husic told Radio National that he wondered why no public buildings had been lit up in the Palestinian colours.

“We don’t see any public landmarks in Australia that are being lit up in red, black, white and green,” Mr Husic said.

He added that he thought that people who supported the Palestinians in Australia were considered “lesser than”.

“I feel very strongly that Palestinians are being collectively punished here for Hamas’ barbarism,” he said.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese with the Minister for Industry and Science Ed Husic. On Thursday morning Mr Husic raised concern over the treatment of Palestinian people. Picture: Gary Ramage

“I really do feel that there is an obligation on governments, particularly the Israeli government, as we have said, follow the rules of international law and to observe, in particular, innocence should be protected.”

Speaking in Parliament House, Greens leader Adam Bandt endorsed Mr Husic’s claim that Israel’s treatment of Gaza amounted to “collective punishment”.

“It’s time that the Labor government’s position now catches up … and calls for the invasion to end.”

“What the minister is saying is right. The Labor government must act and must join, you know, push for an immediate ceasefire and put a stop to the invasion.”
On Thursday morning, long-serving Victorian Labor MP Maria Vamvakinou was the sole ALP legislator to attend a rally outside Parliament House in support of Palestine.

“The people of Gaza cannot be collateral damage,” she told the crowd, which was heavily attended by the Greens.

Anika Wells and Anne Aly during Question Time at Parliament House in Canberra. Picture: NCA NewsWire

“Hamas is a terrorist organisation but there is no justification under any laws of war … that will allow a civilian population to square off with an army.”

When a crowd member shouted out “So the IDF is a terrorist organisation,” she replied, “It is an army, we stand with the people of Gaza.”

The comments come as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese prepares for a trip to the United States, where President Joe Biden is expected to have recently returned from a peacemaking visit to the Middle East.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton told Ray Hadley on 2GB that Labor was facing “deep division” over the issue.

“There are lots of people who are so quick to condemn Israel for their actions,” he said Thursday.

“Hamas committed egregious acts and we should not forget that … nobody wants to see images of any children … whoever they are, nobody wants to see them injured or killed.”

“Israelis can’t live with rockets being launched into cities … babies being beheaded … how would our country react if we had 199 hostages being held a week later?”

Husic is not the only ALP member to appear to equivocate on Labor’s pro-Israel stance, which saw the party unite against Greens motions against Israel in both the House and Senate this week.

Youth Minister Anne Aly told ABC News Breakfast that the Palestinians were suffering “a grief that has accumulated over decades of occupation and sporadic aggression and violence in the region.”

Minister for the Environment and Water Tanya Plibersek during Question time at Parliament House in Canberra. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

“As someone who was born in the region and someone of Arabic cultural heritage, and of course, part of the Muslim faith community, I understand wholeheartedly the pain and the grief that is engulfing Australian-Palestinians,” she said.

“I understand that Palestinians feel that they are not being heard and they are invisible.”

Later in the morning Ms Aly said, “it is hard to argue it is not a form of collective punishment.”

Ms Aly also raised the possibility of war crimes investigations against Israel.

In Sydney, environment minister Tanya Plibersek said that Hamas’ attacks on Israel were “horrific”.

“But Australia, like most other countries, is saying while Israel has a right to defend itself, it also has to avoid civilian casualties in doing so.”

Funding for Jewish and Palestinian-Muslim groups

Jewish and Palestinian-Muslim peak bodies in Australia will get $25m in funding each to support those struggling amid rising tensions in the Middle East.

The Albanese government announced the funding on Thursday after some Labor MPs broke ranks to speak in support of Palestinians.

The Executive Council of Australian Jewry will get $25m will be used “immediately” to improve community safety measures including at Jewish schools and pre-schools.

The boost comes after a series of concerning anti-Semetic incidents in NSW and overseas including a group of protestors chanting “Gas the Jews” in a rowdy rally at the Sydney Opera House.

The second tranche of funding will go to the Australian Palestinian, Muslim and other communities with the funding to focus on safety, security, mental health, cohesion and education initiatives.

In addition to the $50m, the Commonwealth will fork out $3m over two years for mental health support for survivors of torture and trauma and another $6m for the mental health of students in Jewish and Islamic schools and students of Jewish and Islamic faith in government schools.

The government will also aim to stamp out extremist content online with almost $13m being spent on monitoring content online and empowering the eSafety Commissioner to support people after hours.

Originally published as Labor facing ‘deep division’ over terror response as cracks appear in Israel stance, says Peter Dutton