“Recognition of a Palestinian state within the 1967 borders is imperative. Australia’s recognition would be a symbolic and bold rejection of Israel’s current bid to erase the Palestinian people. Recognition of a Palestinian state would not frustrate a peace process; rather, it would rescue that very peace process and keep it alive.”
Payman’s challenge to the prime minister to recognise Palestine will heighten fears in Labor that she could cross the floor and vote with the Greens if a similar motion on recognition was put to the Senate. If Payman crossed the floor, she would likely face expulsion from the party.
Last month, the Albanese government voted in favour of a United Nations General Assembly resolution that declared “the state of Palestine is qualified for membership in the United Nations” under its charter rules. The vote stopped short of Australia officially recognising a Palestinian state, but showed support for it.
The current war in Gaza began after Hamas launched a series of terrorist attacks on October 7 last year, killing 1200 people and taking more than 250 hostages, according to Israeli tallies. The ensuing assault from Israel has resulted in more than 37,000 Palestinians being killed, Gaza health officials say.
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The co-chief executive officer of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, Alex Ryvchin, said Payman had taken positions on the conflict “utterly antithetical to her government’s own policies, including the use of a chant that our prime minister called ‘violent’ and contrary to a two-state solution”.
“Her deceitful rhetoric on genocide has endangered our community and her own colleagues, whose offices are now being targeted by thugs and vandals. Instead of writing for Qatari state media, the senator would be well served reflecting on how this war started and calling on the Hamas leadership in Gaza and Doha to accept the ceasefire that israel and all meditating parties have supported.”
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