Greens leader Adam Bandt has used a fiery speech to a pro-Palestine rally to attack critics on both sides of politics, declaring they were spreading “lies” about controversial protests, before demanding the Albanese government impose sanctions on the Israeli government.
Speaking to the event in Melbourne on Sunday, Mr Bandt doubled down on divisive anti-Israel rhetoric which saw his party repeatedly attacked over the past week, including a joint takedown from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and opposition leader Peter Dutton.
The minor party has come under heavy scrutiny for encouraging at times confrontational protests on university campuses and outside the offices of sitting MPs, as well as inflammatory comments made by its members about the war in Gaza.
However, Mr Bandt has remained defiant, telling protestors the government’s response to the conflict was inadequate and calling for sanctions on the Israeli government’s “extreme war cabinet.”
He also repeated past calls for a complete cessation of military trade between Australia and Israel, as well as the cancellation of specific defence contracts.
“All of this can be done and must be done. Otherwise, everything from Labor is empty words as they continue to back the invasion and let (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu get away with absolutely zero consequences,” the Greens leader said.
Several Greens MPs have spread misleading claims in recent weeks about the government’s suppot for Israel, particularly around defence contracts with links to the country.
On Thursday, Mr Albanese took the Greens’ Max Chandler-Mather to task over his call for the government to cancel a contract with Israeli company Elbit Systems, highlighting Australia was not directly involved in the agreement before accusing the minor party of seeking to “weaponise” anti-Israel rhetoric for political gain.
“It is beyond my comprehension why anyone in this place would seek to suggest that Australia were participants in a conflict when we are not. When we are simply not,” he said.
“They seek, in a divisive way, to raise these issues in order to then weaponise them and cause division in the Australian community.”
The Prime Minister’s comments were backed up by Mr Dutton, who used a radio interview last week to describe the Greens as “evil” and argued they were stoking anti-Semitism.
Hitting back on Sunday, Mr Bandt dismissed those claims as “lies” and “slander” as he addressed the Melbourne rally, although he did also appear to acknowledge concerns about the conduct of some protestors.
“I understand you will be marching after this. I know you will make your views heard peacefully,” he told the crowd of several hundred.
“There has been so much slander about your peaceful protests that I just want to make something crystal clear, something you all know already: there is no place for violence in our politics, against people, politicians, their staff or their offices, and everyone has the right to feel safe.
“I know that is not what you’re about, but I’m just making this clear for the Labor and Liberal politicians and those in the media who are now attacking your peaceful protests and deliberately trying to discredit you and stop you from speaking out.
“Their lies cannot stop the push for peace. Keep being peaceful, and keep being powerful, and we will win.”
In addition to his speech, the Greens leader on Sunday also sought to apply pressure on the government in response to Israel’s latest operation in Gaza, which secured the release of four hostages previously held by Hamas.
The offensive, which was described as one of the most dangerous and intense operations of the war so far, reportedly caused the deaths of more than 200 Palestinians according to local health authorities, who do not make a distinction between the death of civilians and Hamas militants.
One Israeli special forces commander was also killed in the fighting.
In a statement on Twitter, now X, Mr Bandt demanded an explanation from the government over the assault, but no made no direct mention of the four hostages freed in the operation.
“We want all hostages released, we want all political prisoners released, and we want to know how the killing of 200+ Palestinians in last night’s attack can be justified by Israel’s gov and the Labor gov here that refuses to take action to pressure Netanyahu to stop the invasion,” he wrote.
Mr Albanese has not made mention of the Greens leader’s remarks, but the opposition and Australia’s Jewish community have celebrated the safe return of the group as a rare victory following months of worry over their welfare.