Albanese: Leave your politics at the door – let’s engage peacefully
Australians need to cool the temperature over the conflict in the Middle East and engage with each other peacefully, the prime minister says.
Anthony Albanese expressed concern about social cohesion in Australia as both the Jewish and Muslim communities continue to hurt.
“I’m very worried and that’s why my government has provided support for both the Jewish community and the Muslim community and Palestinian communities,” he told ABC radio on Monday.
“We know that there has been a rise in anti-Semitism, I’m very concerned at some of the attacks that have occurred on businesses.”
The boycott, divestment, sanctions movement against businesses owned by Jewish people was an example of this, Mr Albanese said.
“That is anti-Semitic, very explicitly, it should be called out and it should be opposed,” he said.
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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
Racism against Palestinians and Islamophobia also needed to be condemned, the prime minister added.
“Attacks that have occurred on young women in particular, for happening to wear a hijab down the street in the suburbs of our cities, is completely unacceptable as well,” he said.
“We have a great multicultural nation here and it’s really important that some of the rhetoric that’s occurred be dulled down.
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“We’re aware that some of the tensions mean that people are emotional but it’s very important that conflicts overseas do not create conflict and trauma here in Australia.”
Israel how now opened a direct crossing for aid trucks to enter Gaza.
But attacks have not let up as military pressure was the only way the remaining hostages would be freed, Tel Aviv said.
The Palestinian death toll is nearing 20,000, according to Gaza health officials, with thousands more buried in rubble.
Half of Gaza’s 2.3 million people were starving, according to the United Nations, after Israel enforced a blockage after Hamas – designated a terrorist organisation against Australia – launched an attack across the border on October 7.
About 1200 people were killed in the Hamas assault and more than 200 others were taken hostage, according to Tel Aviv.
with Reuters
