Hamas leader ‘welcomes Australia’s policy shift’
The Coalition steps up criticism of the PM’s support for a Gaza ceasefire amid the circulation of a video claiming to be a Hamas leader welcoming Labor’s stance.
The Coalition has stepped up criticism of Anthony Albanese’s decision to support a ceasefire in Gaza amid the circulation of a video that purports to be a senior Hamas leader welcoming Australia’s policy shift.
The video, posted on X by the Palestine Info Center, claims to show Hamas senior leader Ghazi Hamad backing the Albanese government’s joint statement with Canada and New Zealand calling for a “sustainable ceasefire” in Gaza.
The video claimed the Hamas senior leader said Labor’s ceasefire call would contribute towards “isolating the fascist Israeli government globally”.
Hamas thanks Australia (🇦🇺), Canada (🇨🇦) & New Zealand (🇳🇿) over support for Gazza ceasefire resolution.
— Arsen Ostrovsky ðŸŽ—ï¸ (@Ostrov_A) December 21, 2023
This is the same Hamas leader who said the terror group would repeat the Oct 7 massacre "again and again."
Bravo @JustinTrudeau, @AlboMP & @chrisluxonmp! Proud? pic.twitter.com/jDDpBhmNnq
The Australian has not verified the video is real, although leading Jewish groups say its circulation highlighted problems with the government’s policy.
The Albanese government has also not verified the legitimacy of the video, while the Israeli embassy has been contacted for comment.
“The Hamas movement is watching the growing calls by several Western governments to end the aggression on Gaza,” Dr Hamad is claimed to have said in the five-minute video.
“In addition to the other calls worldwide demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza – the last of which was a statement by Canada, Australia, and New Zealand backing a sustainable ceasefire in Gaza.
Important statement by Hamas leader Dr. Ghazi Hamad pic.twitter.com/dFWjejkncK
— Palestine Info Center (@palinfoen) December 18, 2023
“We welcome these developments and consider them in the right direction toward isolating the fascist Israeli government globally and ending the longest occupation in our modern time.”
Dr Hamad has previously said the group’s atrocities on October 7 were “justified”, blaming the “existence of Israel” for the bloodshed and pledging to “remove” the country from the map.
Opposition foreign affairs spokesman Simon Birmingham said the Albanese government “should be ashamed” of the apparent endorsement from a terrorist organisation.
“From Chinese propaganda to Hamas terrorists, the welcoming of Australian foreign policy decisions is both disturbing and embarrassing,” Senator Birmingham said.
Speaking on Sky on Friday morning, Anthony Albanese condemned Hamas, saying he would not give “credence” to a terrorist organisation engaging in propaganda.
“Hamas have my contempt; they are a designated terrorist organisation,” the Prime Minister said.
He said a joint statement by the prime ministers of Australia, Canada and New Zealand this month made it “very clear” that Hamas should have no role in the future governance in gaza
“Gaza cannot be used as a venue to launch terrorist attacks in the future,” Mr Albanese said.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong would not directly answer questions over the video given the government had been unable to verify its source. Instead, a spokeswoman for Senator Wong reiterated the government’s condemnation of Hamas.
Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-CEO Alex Ryvchin took aim at the video for forgetting a key piece from the joint statement: the need for the terrorist group’s surrender.
“The joint letter called for Hamas to surrender for its heinous crimes and for the unconditional release of all hostages,” Mr Ryvchin said.
“This is a pathetic attempt at manipulation by a mastermind of rape and torture whose days are numbered.
NSW Jewish Board of Deputies president David Ossip said the comments “confirmed” what was already known: “that a ceasefire is a victory for Hamas”.
“It will leave over 120 hostages in the hands of rapists and murderers, and allow Hamas to remain in power,” he said.
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