Labor showing ‘encouraging’ signs on Palestine, says Greens leader Larissa Waters

Greens leader Larissa Waters says she’s hopeful the PM would follow his recent criticisms of Israel with action like sanctioning Jerusalem and recognising Palestine.

Greens leader Larissa Waters in Brisbane on Tuesday. Picture: Lachie Millard

You can now listen to The Australian's articles. Give us your feedback.

You can now listen to The Australian's articles.

Greens leader Larissa Waters says Anthony Albanese’s recent criticisms of Israel are an ­“encour­aging” sign from Labor, adding she is “hopeful” the Prime Minister will follow such language with action like sanctioning the Jewish state and recognising Palestine.

The Queensland senator compared Russia and Vladimir Putin’s behaviour on the global stage to ­Israel’s actions in Gaza, urging Mr Albanese to respond to the totalitarian regime and the democratic nation in the same way.

“I might just reflect on the fact that we put sanctions on Russia, but we haven’t put sanctions on the Israeli regime yet,” she told The Australian.

“And we should. Other countries are and are thinking about that, and we should too.”

The Prime Minister on Monday slammed Israel for making “excuses” for why aid was not flowing into Gaza and described the reasons given by the Jewish state as “untenable and without credibility”.

While his comments were widely welcomed by pro-Palestinian figures, Mr Albanese’s intervention fuelled calls for the Australian government to match such language with action.

Former minister Ed Husic was one of many on Tuesday calling for Mr Albanese to “be ready to move” with allies including the UK, Canada and France in sanctioning Israel.

“I think we’ve got to the threshold where there is an expectation we move beyond words, and that we start to think along the lines of others, other friends in the international community, which will shape up ways in which we will now progress from talk to action, to be able to do whatever we can with others, to be able to bring about an end … in the short term (to) the blockade that has affected so many,” he told ABC.

“It’s clear that, from the statement issued by the UK, Canada and France, that that is obviously in their sphere of thought. We should be ready to move when others move as well, to be able to exert maximum international pressure to stop this blockade and to help people in Gaza.”

Australia’s increasing condemnation of Israel’s actions comes ahead of a UN conference to be held in New York next month, where Palestinian recognition is due to be discussed.

Senator Waters’ comments come after she claimed on her first day as leader last month that many Australian Jews who “don’t support genocide” back her depleted left-wing party, which shocked the nation’s Jewish leaders.

Her predecessor Adam Bandt had repeatedly failed to condemn terror group Hamas, including after its recent violent repressions of hundreds of Palestinians who questioned its rule of Gaza.

Senator Waters on Sunday said it was imperative Mr Albanese progress the cause of Palestinian statehood as soon as possible.

“I would urge him to continue down that path and follow that up with action (at) that (UN) conference next month,” she said.

“I think Australia should recognise the state of Palestine. If the Prime Minister wants the two-state solution, well this is sort of a precursor to that.

“I remain hopeful that the Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister and the government will take those actions, because I think that’s what history demands, and I think … the community wants to see is using the global leverage we have and being a voice for peace.”

Following the last term of parliament when the issues of Israel and Gaza were paramount, Senator Waters said she wanted to make sure the Greens had “an eye on how we can help people and how we can help the planet”.

When asked if this translated to focusing less on humanitarian crises abroad, Senator Waters said “we can talk about more than one thing at once” and declared she didn’t resile from the party’s outspoken position on Palestine.

“I think our offering is right for the time,” she said.