A Labor senator has defied party lines and urged the prime minister to label Israel’s assault on the Gaza Strip as genocide. Senator Fatima Payman of Western Australia, the first Afghan-Australian Muslim woman in Parliament, strongly criticized her government’s position on May 15, also known as Nakba Day, which commemorates the displacement of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians from their homes following the creation of the State of Israel in 1948.
Senator Payman declared, “My conscience has been troubled for too long, and I must speak out – this is genocide, and we can no longer ignore it.” She challenged the prime minister and fellow lawmakers, asking, “How many international laws must Israel violate before we take a stand? How many lives must be lost before we acknowledge this as genocide?”
Israel initiated a ground invasion of Gaza in response to Hamas—recognized as a terrorist group by Australia—reportedly killing 1200 individuals and holding 250 hostages on October 7, according to Tel Aviv’s reports. The Palestinian health ministry stated that over 35,000 people have been killed and 77,000 injured in Gaza due to Israel’s retaliatory actions.
The UN’s special rapporteur on human rights in the occupied Palestinian territories concluded that Israel’s military operations since October 7 amounted to genocide. Israel, however, vehemently denied the accusation, stating that their conflict was with Hamas militants, not civilians, and that precautions were taken to minimize civilian casualties.
Senator Payman urged her colleagues to endorse sanctions, divestment, a permanent ceasefire, and the establishment of a Palestinian state. She reiterated, “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.” However, her stance conflicted with recent comments by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who criticized the phrase “from the river to the sea,” advocating for a two-state solution with Israel and Palestine coexisting peacefully.
When asked about potential sanctions against Israel, Mr. Albanese reaffirmed support for a two-state solution, emphasizing Australia’s role in advocating for humanitarian causes and the protection of innocent lives on both sides of the conflict.
The debate surrounding the use of the phrase “from the river to the sea” highlights the differing perspectives on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. While Palestinians and Israelis interpret the phrase differently, its inclusion in protests reflects a call for an end to Israeli occupation.
Mr. Albanese’s previous rejection of the boycott, divestment, and sanction movement underscores his belief that targeting all Israelis and Jewish people is discriminatory. Meanwhile, One Nation senator Pauline Hanson defended Israel in the Senate, citing the historical persecution faced by Jewish people and expressing solidarity by wearing a scarf adorned with Israel’s Star of David.
As protesters gathered outside Parliament House to demand greater support for Gaza, the international community and human rights organizations echoed calls for increased action to address the ongoing conflict in the region.
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