Labor MP Michael Danby has lashed out at Bob Hawke and Bob Carr, accusing them of provoking Israel ahead of prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to Australia.
Both Hawke and Carr have advocated for changes in foreign policy and recognition of a Palestinian state, following Israel’s decision to retroactively legalise unlawful Jewish settlements on Palestinian land.
Danby, who is Jewish, told Sky News the pair had banded together with former Deputy Labor leader Gareth Evans and were unfairly targeting Israel, while ignoring other oppressive countries.
“I might say to all of the heroes who are beating up on a country, a democratic country where there are gay pride parades — there aren’t any in the surrounding countries — or Christmas celebrations — there aren’t any in the surrounding countries — why don’t they beat up on China when the Chinese president comes to Australia?” he said.
“Oppression of the Tibetans or the Uighurs is far worse than what’s happening to the Palestinians when some Israelis build houses 20 metres or 100 metres or a mile across the Green Line.
“Where is Bob Carr, Gareth Evans and Bob Hawke when the terrible things that are happening in Tibet are discussed? They never raise their heads, they never raise their heads to power. They want to try and provoke the Israeli Prime Minister and upset relations between him and the Labor Party prior to Netanyuhu’s visit.”
His comments come as tensions between Israel and Palestine are rising as the Arab nation tries to gain diplomatic recognition and form their own state.
Netanyahu will arrive in Australia tomorrow and will be the first sitting Israel PM to visit Australia.
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