Labor motions slam Israel but not Hamas terrorists

The Victorian ALP’s state conference faces a bitter split with pro-Palestinian motions condemning Israel - but making only a passing reference to Hamas.

A man walks by a wall covered with photos of hostages held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip (Photo by Amir Levy/Getty Images)

Motions demanding the Albanese Government support the “inalienable right of self-determination for the Palestinian people” and calling for the end to Israel’s “perpetual military occupation and human rights violations” in Gaza will be debated at this weekend’s Victorian ALP state conference.

Four motions drafted by pro-Palestinian supporters within the Socialist Left faction seen by The Australian make only a passing mention of the October 7 Hamas terrorist attack that killed an estimated 1200 Israelis.

While one of the motions calls for the release of hostages it fails to reference the number - estimated to be more than 200 who were taken by Hamas terrorists - and goes on to accuse Israel of conducting a “brutal 17-year long blockade and siege” of Gaza.

“These motions are vile and embarrassing for what they say and the deafening silence on October 7, the greatest loss of Jewish life since the Holocaust,” one pro-Israel Labor figure said.

This weekend’s key meeting will be the first Victorian ALP state conference since the October 7 terrorist attack which triggered Israel’s military operation in Gaza and both Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Premier Jacinta Allan are expected to attend on Saturday. Tens of thousands of Palestinians are estimated to have been killed in the war triggered by the terror attack.

The scene is now set for bitter split at the conference with pro-Israel supporters within the ALP expected to argue against the motions. Major protests in support of the Palestinian cause are also expected.

The four motions are headlined “Justice for Palestine - Right to Self-Determination”,

“United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees”, “International Court of the Justice” and “Illegal Settlements”.

Displaced Palestinians walk between buildings destroyed in Israeli bombardment in Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip (Photo by AFP)

The first motion states:

“State Conference resolves that Victorian Labor affirms the Palestinian people’s inalienable right to self-determination and calls on the Federal Labor Government to: Support the inalienable right of self-determination for the Palestinian people; Immediately recognise Palestine as a fully independent sovereign state within the term of this parliament.

“Welcomes the Federal Labor Government’s vote in favour of the UN General Assembly resolution extending Palestine’s participation rights as a UN observer; Utilise international forums to demand an end to the perpetual military occupation and human rights violations, which are in flagrant violation of international law; and Advocate for the implementation of UN Resolutions which provide a solution for peace and security for both sides.”

The “International Court of Justice” motion states:

“That State Conference resolves that the Federal Labor Government: Advocates strongly for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza and the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces.

“Calls for the immediate release of all hostages and political prisoners;

“Upholds its obligations to prevent genocide by taking urgent steps to ensure Israel complies with the ICJ’s provisional measures;

“Ensure Australia is not a party to any Israeli actions or policies that contravene the ICJ’s ruling.

“Exert pressure on Israel to immediately open up access to Gaza and end its brutal 17-year long blockade and siege.”

This motion references the Hamas attack, but only repeats comments made by the International Court of Justice. The motion does not describe Hamas as a terrorist organisation.

“Conference notes that Australia is a state party to the International Court of Justice and has a

general obligation to cooperate fully with the court’s investigations and prosecution.

“The Court has also stated that it “is gravely concerned about the fate of the hostages abducted during the attack on Israel on 7 October 2023 and held since then by Hamas and other armed groups, and calls for their immediate and unconditional release.”

A motion also makes strong criticism of what it describes as Israel’s “illegal settlements”.

“Israel’s settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories are illegal under international law and contravene the Geneva Convention,” the motion states.

“These settlements along with unprecedented settler and military violence, continue to result in the ongoing forcible displacement of Palestinians; a further reduction in territory through the depopulation of villages and neighbourhoods; and a further entrenchment of the Occupation.

“That State Conference resolves that the Federal Labor Government take concrete steps to:

Call on Israel to dismantle and remove its settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories;

Support political and legal action against Israeli settlements and settlement activity in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.”

The motion also calls for “visa bans on violent Israeli settlers, make it illegal for Australian citizens, companies and organisations to fund settlement activity”.

The motion entitled “United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees” calls on the Albanese Government to assist UNRWA to provide “assistance and protection to Palestine refugees pending a just and lasting solution to their plight”.

“It is the responsibility of the Australian Government to assist the international community in

finding that solution.,” the motion states.

“Therefore, that State Conference resolves that the Federal Labor Government: Recognises the essential role of aid workers and seek to ensure their safety at all times; Commit to ongoing annual funding for UNRWA (and) reaffirm the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people and to help safeguard and advance the rights of Palestine refugees.”