“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.”
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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.