‘Immense frustration': Labor base demands sanctions against 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.
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.'
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.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sky News AU
29 minutes ago
- Sky News AU
Investigations launched into death chants and terrorist flags after major pro-Palestine demonstration on Sydney Harbour Bridge
NSW Police have launched a series of investigations into the Sydney Harbour Bridge protesters over death chants, waving terrorist flags, and displaying Hamas and Nazi symbols. Police estimated 90,000 demonstrators took part in the 'March for Humanity' through the heart of Sydney, which shut down the Harbour Bridge from 11.30am to about 5pm, although it was originally scheduled to end at 4pm. Videos posted to social media depicted protesters chanting 'Free, free Palestine', 'In our thousands in our millions, we are all Palestinians', and "Death, death to the IDF; death, death to Netanyahu". "The IDF are terrorists" was also chanted during the march on the Harbour Bridge, as Al-Qaida flags were allegedly waved. Al-Qaida is a designated terrorist organisation in Australia. NSW Police told Sky News investigators in Sydney are investigating the audio of the chants and seeking legal advice. Police are also "actively investigating" the identity of one woman who displayed a swastika placard and have spoken to the man wearing a jacket emblazoned with the words: "Death death to the IDF". "The stills of and videos of flags are being assessed by specialist officers and Sydney City PAC is awaiting their advice," NSW Police said. "Officers from Sydney City PAC stopped and spoke with the man wearing the jacket depicted and his details recorded. Legal advice being sought." Following the protest, NSW Police expressed relief no one was injured or killed during the 'perilous' demonstration as officers 'had to scramble' to protect thousands from crowd crush. On Friday, Supreme Court Justice Belinda Rigg rejected the bid to stop the march and said the right to freedom of assembly and freedom of speech outweighed any other argument. 'The march at this location is motivated by the belief that the horror and urgency of the situation in Gaza demands an urgent and extraordinary response from the people of the world,' Ms Rigg said. Central Metropolitan Region Commander Adam Johnson said in his 35 years of policing he had never seen such a 'perilous' situation. 'I was honestly worried we were going to have a major incident with potential loss of life,' he said.
The Age
42 minutes ago
- The Age
Albanese seeks call with Netanyahu amid Sydney, Melbourne protests
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is continuing to pursue a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as at least 90,000 people marched across Sydney Harbour Bridge calling for an end to the war in Gaza and pressure builds within Labor for recognition of Palestinian statehood. Albanese said on Monday he would use any phone call with Netanyahu to advocate for a two-state solution. Assistant Immigration Minister Matt Thistlethwaite had earlier confirmed that the call was being pursued, as Labor politicians backed the peaceful protest organised by the Palestine Action Group, with at least three members of the federal caucus in attendance. Backbenchers Ed Husic, Alison Byrnes and Tony Sheldon marched with protesters on Sunday, putting further pressure on Albanese to recognise Palestine. At a press conference on Monday, Albanese said he would continue to advocate for peace with Netanyahu. Loading 'I have said to prime minister Netanyahu before, as I've said publicly for a long period of time that I'm a supporter of a two-state solution, and that there can't be peace and security in the Middle East, without there being an advance on that two-state solution,' Albanese said. The government has repeatedly said that recognition of a Palestinian state is a matter of timing. Allies in France, Canada and the United Kingdom have all laid the groundwork to recognise the state at the next United Nations General Assembly in September. Albanese ruled out any further sanctions against Israeli figures, following those already placed on ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich in June for inciting violence against Palestinians in the West Bank. Speaking about the Harbour Bridge protest, Albanese said he was not surprised so many felt moved to march after seeing images of 'people being deprived of food and water and essential services' in Gaza.
AU Financial Review
an hour ago
- AU Financial Review
Labor's bailouts for globally competitive smelters a contradiction
The economic reforms of the 1980s and 1990s liberalised and opened up Australia's highly protected economy, which had long sheltered behind high tariff walls. The result was three decades of prosperity broken only by the COVID-19 pandemic. Over the past three years, living standards have fallen amid the nation's steep productivity decline. Jim Chalmers' economic reform roundtable needs to focus on a meaningful tax, workplace, and regulatory agenda to fix Australia's economic malaise by boosting investment in productive and globally competitive businesses. However, what is now gathering pace is Labor's revival of industry policy. Counter-productively, this marks a return to old 'Fortress Australia' days of government intervention cossetting select industries at the expense of the nation's overall international competitiveness.
