Labor MP blasts party’s ‘fear and loathing’ over Gaza

A former Australian minister has sharply criticized the Labor Party's approach to the conflict in Gaza, warning it risks alienating voters if it continues to react with "fear and loathing" to questions about Palestinian rights. Ed Husic, the most vocal Labor member on the issue, stated that this approach mirrors the mistakes made by the US Democrats, potentially leading to a drift of members and supporters.

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What I am deeply concerned about is there are elements of fear and loathing that drive the way we respond to these issues. Fear to have your own view, and loathing if you do.

Speaking at a Labor Friends of Palestine event, Husic urged the party to allow for "legitimate debate" on the rights of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank. He believes stifling this discussion could have significant electoral consequences for the party. His remarks, made on the sidelines of the NSW Labor conference, signal a potential internal battle over Palestinian rights at Labor's upcoming national conference.

Beyond party politics, Husic also proposed a government initiative to establish a dedicated team within the Australian Federal Police (AFP) to monitor dual Australian-Israeli citizens traveling to the Middle East to fight for the Israel Defense Forces. He argued that allowing dual nationals to engage in such conflicts could place Australia in breach of its international obligations, including the genocide convention, if they contribute to crimes against humanity.

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That cannot be the way that we continue. Otherwise, we will see what happened to the US Democrats happen with us as our members and supporters drift off, and we cannot have that.

Husic, who previously served as Australia's first Muslim cabinet minister before a factional dispute led to his removal after the 2025 election, has consistently advocated for stronger sanctions against Israeli officials and an end to defense ties between Australia and Israel. He has also previously questioned Australia's commitment to the AUKUS nuclear submarine deal.

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We need to set up, as a government, a body within the AFP to track the movement of dual nationals. We cannot have dual nationals leaving this country to go and be involved in that operation (in Gaza and the West Bank).