Labor powerless amid pro-Palestine tide as Muslim Vote predicts ‘horse has bolted’
Labor is growing concerned it is heading toward election defeat next year, as angry Muslim electoral movements warn of a long-term political shift away from the ALP due to the Palestine issue.
Labor operatives are concerned the ALP may be heading towards election defeat given the anger over Palestine, as leaders behind the Muslim vote movements said politics would “never be the same again”.
It comes as hundreds of protesters chanted “f..k you Albo (and) Tony Burke” at Sunday’s Sydney rally, and The Muslim Vote and Muslim Votes Matter told The Australian that Labor should be prepared for a “long-lasting” political shift.
“The horse has bolted … things (politics) will never be the same again,” Sheik Wesam Charkawi, The Muslim Vote’s convener, said.
About 10,000 people descended onto the Sydney CBD in pro-Palestine rallies replicated across state capitals, ahead of more protests planned for the one-year anniversary of Hamas’s October 7 attacks on Monday.
Hezbollah praised the protests, posting pictures from the rallies on its Telegram channel with the caption: “From Australia to the world.”
Labor figures, present at Sydney’s rally, said the palpable anger was striking, with many now believing that the party was heading for federal election defeat next year, such was the visceral vexation with the government’s stance and handling of the conflict.
The Muslim Vote is supporting candidates in “key electorates” it hopes to topple Labor, particularly in Mr Burke’s Western Sydney seat of Watson, where the organisation is co-ordinating independent Ziad Basyouny’s campaign.
Sheik Charkawi said there had been “emphatic” support for Mr Basyouny’s candidacy, saying it provided an opportunity to “challenge” Labor, who had “let down” the community.
He claimed that the days of Labor attempting to “buy” votes or lean on “relationships” were over, revealing announcements would be made in the “near future” on other target seats.
“This is a long-term vision,” he said. “Whether now or in subsequent elections, change will happen. A new trajectory is being traversed.”
Sheik Charkawi wouldn’t be drawn into commenting on the community “counter movements” to The Muslim Vote, saying people were entitled to their own views and that it was important that respect was “maintained”, but that there was “outrage” with Mr Burke and federal Education Minister Jason Clare.
When Hezbollah flags and pictures of its slain leader, Hassan Nasrallah, were displayed at rallies last week, Mr Burke was quick to condemn, promising action.
Sheik Charkawi pointed to the Home Affairs Minister’s quick condemnation and firm stance, even threatening some with the prospect of deportation – a stance he said was missing in support of the community.
“He took a firm stand and condemned the action,” he said.
“However, the community has not seen such a stance for Palestinians, Arabs, Lebanese or Muslims. This point is not about the issue of symbols or flags but about the firm stance. There is no illusion about what the community is seeing.”
Flipping Watson and Blaxland will remain difficult for Mr Basyouny and The Muslim Vote, where Mr Burke and Mr Clare both enjoy about 15 per cent margins, but where Muslim voters make up about 35 per cent and 27 per cent of the electorate respectively.
The community is not homogeneous and elements of it, particularly in Watson, remain supportive of Mr Burke and Labor.
A Friends of Burke network co-ordinated by prominent Lebanese Muslim community leader Jamal Rifi will campaign for the two ministers to keep their pro-Palestine voices “in the corridors of power”.
At its September launch, Dr Rifi said Mr Burke had worked his whole life for the “Palestinian cause” and that although the community’s heart was “bleeding” voters need to vote with a clear head.
“We work hard for what we believe in, and we believe that Mr Burke has done a great deal for our area, community and Palestine – and he will continue to do so,” Dr Rifi said.
Separately, Muslim Votes Matter will wait until nominations are closed to endorse candidates, but previously told The Australian it would have no trouble preferencing independents or Greens above Labor.
The organisation had a stall at Sydney’s rally, and its national spokesman, Naser Alziyadat, said the movement was now “well-established” in five states, with “hundreds” of volunteers from different faiths and “thousands” more supporting the campaign online.
“There is a broader shift in political engagement beyond just the Muslim community,” he said, adding it predated October 7 and would be “long-lasting”.
On Saturday, The Australian revealed how British independent MPs who toppled UK Labour at July’s general election predicted a “permanent political shift”, something echoed by Dr Alziyadat.
“The change has been gradual and collective, and when it is gradual, it will be long-lasting,” he said.
Muslim Votes Matter ranks each candidate’s “political stances, plans and promises”, and Dr Alziyadat said that amid rising frustration with the two major parties and current polling, independents and minor parties could be king or queen after the next federal poll.
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