TRANSCRIPT
Since the original Hamas attack on October 7, governments from across Australia have expressed their support for Israel - like New South Wales Premier Chris Minns, who lit up the iconic Sydney Opera House in the country's blue and white colours.
“Well, the position from the NSW government was clear. We were in solidarity with the Jewish community in NSW... and we made that really clear.”
But a few political figures - like senior Labor MP Ed Husic - have wondered about similar shows of support for the Palestinian people.
“The number of Palestinians that have been killed so far equates to the number of people who lost their lives on 9/11. We don't see any public landmarks in Australia that are being lit up in red, black, white and green.”
It's a question that is also being asked throughout the community.
Randa Kattan from the Arab Council Australia says many feel their own shock and dismay over the events in the Middle East aren't being acknowledged or heard.
“The community is really, really upset, hurt - feel totally betrayed by the government. Total betrayal as far as the community is concerned because the government is taking a one-sided approach. There is no support out there. It is unequivocal in its support towards Israel.”
President of the Islamic Council of Victoria, Adel Salman, says voters made their feelings known at the recent Indigenous Voice to Parliament referendum.
“Many Muslims were so dismayed by what they were hearing from our politicians that out of protest that they were doing things like writing things on the referendum card, like 'free Palestine'.”
Adel Salman says these sentiments are poised to have a deeper political impact.
“If there's one issue that unites all of the hearts and minds of Muslims around Australia, and many Arab Christian communities, it's this question of Palestine. So Labor should be really concerned that they are not building any trust amongst the communities.”
Sources have told SBS News that Labor is losing grassroots support in key electorates at both the state and federal level.
These voters are among those intending to change their vote.
WOMAN 1: "No more. I'm not going to vote for anyone anymore."
MAN: "40 years in Australia, always voting for Labor. I think I need to change my mind towards them."
WOMAN 2: "A non listening government makes people not want to vote for them. And I definitely wouldn't vote for a government that didn't listen to me.”
Randa Kattan says it's unlikely the Liberals and Nationals would benefit from these changes.
“A lot of deep hurt and deep anger in the community - and total rejection of the ALP and the Coalition.”
The danger for both major parties is if popular local independents emerge from this demographic, potentially changing the balance of power in Parliament.
Labor, though, has defended its public statements.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong says the party has always tried to take a principled stand on foreign policy.
“I understand that this is a conflict which has longstanding historical grievances... I also know that it's important for the Palestinian community and more broadly Australians of the Islamic faith to know that the government is listening, just as it is important for members of our Jewish community to know that we are there for them at this time.”
Randa Cattan says she wants to see a much more concrete expression of support.
“People tell us that they support us in private, but in public there is no such thing; there is no declaration of support. It means nothing. If you want to tell me in a meeting or a phone call that you're feeling for us, this is not good enough. You need to go out there and tell the people.”
