Australia / Israel Review

The June 25 Senate debate on recognising a Palestinian state became notorious because ALP Senator Fatima Payman crossed the floor, and later left the ALP. The controversy overshadowed the item’s policy content, with the major parties setting out the circumstances under which they believe Australia should recognise such a state, and the minor parties and independents displaying their positions.

Greens Deputy Leader Senator Mehreen Faruqi moved “for the Senate to recognise the State of Palestine,” as a matter of urgency.

Assistant Education Minister Senator Anthony Chisholm moved an amendment to add, after “Palestine”, “as part of a peace process in support of a two-state solution and a just and enduring peace.”

Shadow Attorney-General Senator Michaelia Cash moved to amend this Government amendment by adding the following preconditions:

i. recognition by Palestinian representatives and the Palestinian Authority of Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish and democratic state;

ii. that there is no role for Hamas…;

iii. reform of the Palestinian Authority… including major security and governance reforms;

iv. agreed processes to resolve final status issues including… borders and rights of return; and

v. appropriate security guarantees between parties to ensure peace and security within recognised borders.”

The Coalition amendment was supported by the Coalition and Senators Ross Babet and Jacquie Lambie, but defeated by the ALP, Greens and Senators David Pocock and Lidia Thorpe. The ALP amendment was then also defeated, supported only by the ALP and Senator Pocock. The original Greens motion was then put and defeated, supported only by the Greens and Senators Pocock, Payman and Thorpe.

Senator Faruqi said there is a “full-blown genocide in Gaza,” demanded “the right of return for Palestinian refugees” and that “The world must do to Israel what it did to South Africa: boycott, divestment and sanction.”

Shadow Foreign Minister Senator Simon Birmingham said Hamas is “a dangerous terrorist organisation… sponsored by Iran as part of their plan of disruption around the region and the world—and yet Hamas sees parts of the UN, some governments and certainly political parties like the Greens… advancing on [their] demands. It is shameful.” 

Senator Chisholm said, “The widespread human suffering… in Gaza is completely unacceptable… Australia no longer sees recognition as only occurring at the end of the process… We want… a reformed Palestinian authority that disavows violence and is ready to engage in a meaningful political process.” 

Senator Thorpe interjected, “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” during a division.

On July 3, in the House, Assistant Foreign Minister Tim Watts moved a motion to the same effect as Senator Chisholm’s.

The motion passed with the ALP and most independents in support. The Coalition, Greens and Bob Katter and Allegra Spender were opposed. 

Shadow Minister for Science and the Arts Paul Fletcher then sought to move the same motion as the Coalition’s Senate amendment, but the ALP prevented it by successfully moving to adjourn the debate. 

Watts said, “No Australian government has ever expressed such strong support for a Palestinian state… the borders of a future Palestinian state should be determined through direct negotiations,” then proudly listed Government criticisms of Israel’s conduct of the war.

Fletcher said, “The signal that this government is sending… is that we are rewarding… the lawless, murderous, terrorist organisation Hamas.” 

Liberal Julian Leeser said, “It’s important that we don’t recognise a state that hasn’t come into existence, particularly when many of the actors in that state do not believe that Israel has a right to exist.” 

Independent Zoe Daniel claimed, “Just as the Australian government exerts pressure on Hamas for Israeli hostages to be released… the same pressure must be brought on the Netanyahu government to end its offensive… the fundamental rule to protect civilians is not being followed.”

Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care Ged Kearney asserted, “It was the Nakba that uprooted millions of Palestinians.”

Liberal Andrew Wallace noted everybody demands a ceasefire and asked “Why is no-one ever talking about how Hamas should surrender and return the hostages?”

Green Max Chandler-Mather asked how it’s fair the “government recognises Israel but refuses to immediately recognise Palestine?” He accused Israel of murdering 37,000 Palestinians, genocide and “an engineered famine”, calling for sanctions.

Independent Allegra Spender said all the ALP motion does “is tear our community even further apart.”