Labor MP Ed Husic is pushing for his party to adopt a firmer position on Israel’s treatment of Palestinians, as he seeks changes to Labor’s national platform on the issue.
Before a major debate at Labor’s national conference in Adelaide on Saturday, Husic confirmed he wants the platform amended to sharpen criticism of Israel and apply greater pressure on the Albanese government.
The matter is emerging as one of the conference’s most heated flashpoints, with delegates preparing to consider policy positions that could shape Australia’s diplomatic approach to the war in Gaza and the wider Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Speaking to The Australian on the sidelines of the gathering, Husic said many people in Australia view Israel’s treatment of Palestinians as apartheid.
‘There are many Australians who believe Israel practises apartheid in terms of the day-to-day treatment of Palestinians,’ Husic said.
The western Sydney MP also pointed to the heavy humanitarian cost of the Gaza war, saying he was especially troubled by the toll on civilians.
Husic said he felt ‘very strongly’ about the suffering caused by the conflict, including its impact on vulnerable people and children trapped in the violence.
‘I believe that Australia’s voice is a strong and responsible voice to be able to take action on the issue,’ he said.
Ed Husic (pictured) is pushing for changes to Labor’s platform on Israel at party conferenceÂ
His comments place him among Labor MPs, activists and delegates seeking to push the party toward a more critical position on Israel, reflecting mounting pressure from sections of the party and affiliated groups.
The conference debate will centre on Labor’s draft national platform, which already contains some of the strongest language the party has adopted on the issue.
The proposed platform reaffirms Labor’s support for the International Court of Justice and acknowledges the court’s finding that Israel’s continued presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory is ‘unlawful’.
‘Labor opposes the annexation of Palestinian territory and wants Israel to bring its illegal settlement activity and the occupation to an end, to see security for Palestine, for Israel and for the region,’ the draft platform states.
It also calls for stronger measures to address Israeli settlement activity and violence by extremist settlers in the occupied territories.
‘Labor urges the government to prevent any support being given to illegal settlement activity or extremist settler violence, and to implement further action and sanctions as necessary,’ it says.
The language goes further than previous party positions and is expected to spark debate among delegates over how far Labor should go in criticising Israel and whether Australia should consider further diplomatic or economic measures.
Supporters of stronger action argue Labor should align more closely with international legal findings and respond to a growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Ed Husic and other Labor advocates want the party to go further in criticism of IsraelÂ
Others are expected to warn against policy shifts that could further complicate Australia’s relationship with Israel.
This week Israel’s embassy issued a strong rebuttal to the draft policy’s criticism of settler violence, arguing the proposed platform fails to adequately recognise Palestinian attacks against Israelis and presents an unbalanced account of the conflict.
The embassy challenged several elements of the draft platform, particularly its focus on Israeli settlements and violence by extremist settlers.
‘In contrast to Palestinian attacks on Israelis, which continue frequently and are not even condemned by the PA, Israel condemns any vigilante attacks and acts to bring them to justice,’ the embassy said.
The statement argued there are significant differences in the nature of attacks carried out by settlers and Palestinians.
‘In most cases, settler violence targets possessions while Palestinian violence aspires to murder or injure Israelis,’ it said.
The embassy also rejected what it called a one-sided approach in Labor’s proposed position, warning that lasting peace could not be achieved by placing responsibility solely on Israel.
‘[Israel] remains committed to a future in which Israelis and Palestinians live alongside one another in peace and security,’ the statement said.
Anthony Albanese (pictured) did not mention Israel or Palestine in his speech to party faithful
‘That future, however, cannot be built through unilateral political declarations or international pressure directed at only one side.’
The Israel-Palestine debate is understood to be a key concern for Anthony Albanese and senior Labor figures, who are keen for the national conference to project unity and avoid divisive internal disputes.
In his keynote address to party members on Thursday, the Prime Minister avoided any direct reference to Israel or Palestine, instead focusing on the government’s record on health, economic and broader political agenda.
