Daniel Andrews doesn’t support Palestinian statehood at the moment, calls out ‘evil’ anti-Semitism
Daniel Andrews’ stance that a two-state solution between Israel and Palestine is ‘some way off’ has won key support among the Labor Party.
A lead organiser of Labor Friends of Palestine claims former Victorian premier Daniel Andrews is “out of step” over a declaration he made at a Melbourne synagogue that he currently does not support Palestinian statehood.
ALP member Peter Moss pointed to six motions relating to the war in Gaza that passed at the Victorian State Labor Conference in May to demonstrate how Mr Andrews was not representing the overwhelming view of the party.
“He’s out on an extreme limb with these comments,” Mr Moss told The Australian.
“It’s inconsistent with Labor values. Broadly we’re a party that stands up for certain values, respect for international law.
“(Recognition) is the minimum that Australia could do. It’s party policy, it’s overwhelmingly supported by members and I don’t think Daniel Andrews in any way represents the views of any significant part of the Labor Party.”
The former premier used the Melbourne launch of the Labor Friends of Israel at the Beth Israel synagogue in St Kilda on Thursday night to stress the importance of pushing back against “twisted logic” that brought legitimacy to terrorism.
“I do not at this time support a recognition of a Palestinian state. That is not to say that recognition of a Palestinian state is something that should never occur,” Mr Andrews told the congregation.
“But at this time, I do not believe that is a productive step forward. You can only have peace if you have a partner in this … there is an actively hostile opponent.”
Before outlining his views to the crowd, Mr Andrews drew on wisdom passed down to him: “My mother told me a long time ago, that when you speak, be sure and say something.
“I think that the atrocities of October 7 have been forgotten by too many and condemned by too few.
“We have not called out those who would seek to dismiss, that would seek to wash over that, and that is wrong.”
He said the conflict in the Middle East was “unspeakable” and condemned the rise in anti-Semitism in Australia.
Fantastic evening launching Labor Friends of Israel with @DanielAndrewsMP and @NovaPerispic.twitter.com/llXNL27A0f
— Nick Dyrenfurth שמו×ל בן ××‘×¨×”× (@dyrenfurth) July 25, 2024
“If the light forward to peace and the way forward to a better future is to somehow let the rampant anti-Semitism slide, to stop pushing back and standing up against that, well, I won’t be part of that,” Mr Andrews said.
“We need to make it very clear that the anti-Semitism that we are seeing, that the Jewish community are experiencing today is evil, it’s pure evil.”
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan backed her predecessor’s current stand on a two-state solution on Friday.
“The former premier’s comments were obviously in the form of everyone’s shared concern about the ongoing conflict in the Middle East,” Ms Allan said.
“As a consequence of that conflict in the Middle East, we’ve been working incredibly hard to support communities here in Victoria, particularly those communities who are experiencing horrific instances of anti-Semitic behaviour.
“In terms of Victoria’s position, it does match the federal position, which we do know that the ongoing work towards a two-state solution is the way that it can drive a stronger, more secure region.
“It is absolutely clear that is someway off, it is also clear that in any pathway to a two-state solution there should absolutely be no role for Hamas in that two-state solution.”
Former federal ALP minister and co-convener of Labor Friends of Israel Michael Kelly said Mr Andrews demonstrated “piercing intellect”.
“He’s always been prepared to speak out on these issues … It’s really another inspiration to the community that came in understanding they have such a powerful advocate in their corner,” Dr Kelly said.
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