Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has sought to take a broad approach to the Israel-Gaza conflict, as the opposition accuses Labor of division over foreign policy.
Israel has begun amassing its forces to strike back at Hamas after the Islamic terrorist group’s cross-border attack, which has killed more than 1400 Israelis and resulted in more than 200 people being taken hostage.
The Israeli Defence Force’s retaliatory campaign has killed at least 3400 people in the Palestinian territory.
Mr Albanese faced coalition accusations of leading a divided cabinet after minister Ed Husic said Australia needed to acknowledge the human impact on Palestinians.
“I feel very strongly that Palestinians are being collectively punished here for Hamas’ barbarism,” Mr Husic told ABC Radio on Thursday.
“I really do feel there is an obligation on governments, particularly the Israeli government, to follow the rules of international law and to observe in particular that innocence should be protected.”
With rallies being staged across the country by pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli groups, the prime minister told parliament it was important to ensure Australia remained a “microcosm” of different faith and cultural groups living together in harmony.
“There’s no place for hate here,” Mr Albanese told parliament.
“There’s no place for anti-Semitism, as there’s no place for Islamophobia in this country.”
Read the article in Michael West Media (AAP).