Cross-party NSW MPs say Palestine, Gaza statement ‘speaks for itself’
A letter supporting Gaza signed by cross-party NSW MPs ‘speaks for itself’, one Labor member said, as splits continued to emerge on the party’s approach to the war.
NSW MPs who signed a letter supporting and calling for aid to Gaza have said their statement “speaks for itself”, as more Labor members added their names and splits continued to emerge on the party’s approach to the war.
A quarter of Labor’s MPs signed the statement in a break from the Minns government’s party line and rhetoric on the crisis.
The statement from the NSW Parliamentary Friends of Palestine group urged the federal government “to call upon all actors, including the state of Israel, to comply with international humanitarian law”.
Labor MP Nathan Hagarty, a signatory, told The Australian “the statement speaks for itself”.
“I condemn the deeply inhumane acts of terror committed by Hamas, and all violence against civilians,” he said, while calling for relief, essential supplies and aid workers to support Gaza civilians.
“Gaza is in the grips of a humanitarian crisis, with thousands dead and nearly 10,000 injured or displaced.”
The statement carried cross-party support, including from the 16 Labor MPs, all seven NSW Greens and a single Liberal, Holsworthy MP Tina Ayyad, who said “too many innocent people – both Palestinians and Israelis – had been killed”.
“The innocent Palestinians deserve a fair go, we’ve talked too long about them having an independent state under a two-state solution – it is time to do it now,” she told The Australian.
“Let’s give these kids democracy and hope, because that’s the best way to eradicate Hamas – through hearts and minds, not missiles and guns.
“The best way for the international community to defend Israel is to provide a democratic and free state to the Palestinians.”
There are cracks within Labor – federally and in NSW – to the government’s response to the war.
Two federal ministers on Thursday accused the Jewish state of war crimes and unions claimed “ethnic cleansing” of Palestinians prompted Hamas’s October 7 attack on the country.
Cabinet minister Ed Husic and colleague Anne Aly warned that 2.3 million residents of Gaza were being “collectively punished” for the crimes of terrorists.
The letter signed by NSW parliamentarians condemned Hamas and the group’s attacks, calling for an immediate release of the terrorist organisation’s hostages, and ensuring aid for Gaza.
“We are deeply alarmed by the unfolding catastrophic humanitarian crisis in Gaza, which is putting at risk millions of people who were not involved in the acts of terror by Hamas,” the letter read.
“We urge Australia to support the innocent citizens of Gaza and do its part to urge the authorities to allow urgent relief.”
While noting the letter’s condemnation of Hamas, former Australian ambassador to Israel Dave Sharma cautioned all sides to “remember how this crisis started”.
“Those calling for Israel to exercise restraint should be equally vocal in calling on Hamas to release the hostages unharmed and to allow Gaza’s civilian population to move freely to the south of Gaza and out of harm’s way,” the former Wentworth MP said.
Palestinian Action Group organiser Josh Lees, whose group plans a Sydney city rally on Saturday, welcomed the statement as a “small step in right direction”.
“The shift in our politicians is a reflection of a rejection in our society to a carte blanche to Israel and our pro-Israel governments,” Mr Lees said.
However, Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-chief executive Alex Ryvchin said while he was “deeply concerned” about the loss of innocent lives, Hamas had to be destroyed.
“The only way to ensure the safety and protection of both Israelis and Palestinians is to destroy Hamas completely,” he said.
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