‘Immense frustration’: Labor base demands sanctions against Israel

Anger is rising among Labor’s base over the war in Gaza, with nearly 80 local branches passing motions over recent weeks calling for Australia to impose sanctions on the Netanyahu government and sever military ties with Israel.

Australia joined 27 nations to demand an immediate end to the war and condemn Israel’s “drip feeding” of aid to Gaza on Tuesday, but pro-Palestine campaigners within Labor are calling for the government to go further and take concrete actions against the Israeli government.

A pro-Palestine protest takes place on the lawns in front of Parliament House ahead of the opening of the 48th parliament.Credit: Dominic Lorrimer

Seventy-eight Labor branches have passed motions calling for far-reaching sanctions against Israeli entities and individuals involved in the war and a two-way arms embargo on Israel, including the supply of military parts and components.

The branches include one in Foreign Minister Penny Wong’s home city of Adelaide and three in Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s Sydney electorate of Grayndler.

“Strong words are not enough,” the conveners of the Labor Friends of Palestine group said in a letter sent to Wong on Wednesday and seen by this masthead.

“Expressions of concern and repeated calls for restraint have achieved little in the last 21 months; indeed Israel’s violence and clear disdain for international humanitarian law have only intensified.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong.Credit: Dominic Lorrimer

Local branch meetings are the primary way for members to influence party policy, outside its national conference that is held every three years, but they have no formal power to change how MPs or ministers act.

Noting that the 28-nation statement said the countries were “prepared to take ‘further action’ to support a ceasefire”, the campaigners said: “We urge Australia to take the lead by proposing comprehensive sanctions and an arms embargo as practical measures towards ending the violence in Gaza and the West Bank.

“Beyond this, we urge the Australian government to work with international partners to develop a practical plan for the establishment of a free and independent Palestinian State.”

Wong said in a statement: “Many Australians – including Labor Party members – are understandably distressed by the ongoing violence, including the deaths of so many innocent civilians.”

She defended Labor’s policy record, including the provision of $110 million in humanitarian assistance for civilians in Gaza and Lebanon.

Government sources stressed that Australia has not supplied weapons or ammunition to Israel since the Hamas-Israel conflict began and for at least the past five years.

Pro-Palestine activists have targeted Australia’s role in the global supply chain for F-35 jets used by the Israeli military, but the government says all its export contributions are non-lethal.

Executive Council of Australian Jewry president Daniel Aghion, KC, said: “No one wants this war to end more than Israel, but that can only happen with the release of the 50 hostages and assurances that Hamas will not retain effective control over Gaza. There is immense suffering right now, which cannot be denied.

“The solution is the permanent removal of the terrorist force that started this war and their release of all hostages.”

The branches’ call came as the Senate passed a disciplinary motion rebuking Greens senator Mehreen Faruqi for holding up a sign about the war in Gaza during Governor-General Sam Mostyn’s speech at the opening of parliament on Tuesday.

The motion, introduced by Wong, said Faruqi broke Senate rules by holding up a prop in the form of a sign saying: “Gaza is starving. Words won’t feed them. Sanction Israel.”

Greens senator Mehreen Faruqi was rebuked for holding up a sign about the war in Gaza as Governor-General Samantha Mostyn addressed both houses.Credit: Dominic Lorrimer

Faruqi criticised the motion, which bans her from participating in Senate delegations overseas, telling her colleagues: “You are all on the wrong side of history. Instead of sanctioning me, maybe you should think about sanctioning Israel.”

Albanese accused Faruqi of “disrespecting” Mostyn during her speech to parliament, telling the ABC: “There is a place for demonstrations, and it’s not the floor of the Senate.”

Peter Moss, a co-convenor of Labor Friends of Palestine, said the flurry of motions being passed at branch meetings across the country represented a groundswell of support among the Labor faithful for tougher action against the Israeli government.

“There is immense frustration that Australia has been so slow to back strong words with strong actions … It’s time for the government to listen to the large majority of Labor members, and the communities we represent,” he said.

Moss said he expected more than 100 Labor branches will soon have passed motions calling for tougher action against Israel.

He said Labor supporters of Palestine appreciated steps the government has taken – including backing ceasefire resolutions at the United Nations and imposing sanctions on two Israeli far-right ministers – but wanted to see it go further.

Former Labor frontbencher Ed Husic called for targeted sanctions against key Israeli decision-makers in the war in Gaza, telling the ABC on Wednesday afternoon: “The Australian government, as part of a broader coalition, should be prepared to take further steps.”

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