‘Hamas is not Palestine’: Sunrise host Natalie Barr wade into Sydney council’s Palestine flag controversy

The controversial decision by a Sydney council to fly the Palestinian flag above its town hall in a region with a large Jewish population has sparked a fierce backlash.

A Sydney councillor is fighting against a plan to fly the Palestinian flag above the town hall in a region with a large Jewish community.

Randwick Council will take part in an International Day of Solidarity on 29 November, showing support for the Palestinian people in the midst of the brutal Israel-Hamas conflict.

Councillor Daniel Rosenfeld will tonight bring a motion reversing the decision at an emergency general meeting.

“Because of the horrific events of October 7 [when] Hamas killed 1400 Jewish people, took 200 hostage, more Jewish people died that day than any other day since the Holocaust,” Mr Rosenfeld told Sunrise host Natalie Barr in an interview this morning.

“Israelis are under daily attack from rockets, both around the Gaza area and now in northern Israel.

“There’s a large Jewish community here in the Randwick [local government area] and they will certainly feel very uncomfortable should the council fly the flag in a bit over a month’s time.”

Randwick Councillor Daniel Rosenfeld will bring forward a motion to reverse the decision.

Barr questioned whether linking Palestinian civilians and Hamas terrorism was appropriate, saying there are “innocent people suffering today”.

“That Hamas attack was horrific in every way and has been condemned right around the world, but as has also been said many times, Hamas is not Palestine. Doesn’t that flag represent them?”

Mr Rosenfeld acknowledged that “Hamas are not Palestine” but said they “control the Gaza Strip” and are therefore an “integral part of that part of Palestine”.

“I do acknowledge that and I feel for the innocent Palestinians that have been caught up. However, I do note that some of the casualties from the Palestinians are due to misfiring rockets from Hamas and Islamic State.”

Randwick Council takes in several suburbs in Sydney’s east, including Clovelly, Coogee, Maroubra, Kingsford, Kensington and Randwick.

A number of the more than 47,000 Jews who call New South Wales home live in the area.

Barr said “there are innocent Palestinians who don’t support Hamas” and who feel it’s not their fault that Hamas controls the region.

“Given the Hamas terrorist attacks, again 1400 Jews died, whole families were wiped out … there are a lot of people in this area with connections to people who were either injured or killed,” Mr Rosenfeld said.

“Given the prominent Jewish community in this area, I really feel they’ll feel very uncomfortable for that flag to be raised in our LGA.”

Randwick Town Hall will fly the Palestinian flag next month on the International Day of Solidarity. Picture: Randwick Council

Barr wrapped up the interview by saying: “I’m sure it’s so difficult and I think a lot of people can see your side and the other one.”

Mr Rosenfeld’s colleague Councillor Andrew Hay took to Facebook shortly after the interview aired to voice his support for the move.

“Well done Councillor Daniel Rosenfeld! Getting our side of the story out to all Australia on Sunrise,” Mr Hay wrote.

“Tonight we debate whether to cancel flying the flag of a terrorist state, after they have committed one of the worst atrocities in recent memory.

“I & my fellow Liberals were always against raising the Palestinian Flag, and will vote against it tonight. Like if you agree.”