Former Labor MP Accuses Josh Burns of Acting as ‘Human Shield for Penny Wong’

The infighting within the Australian Labor Party over its draft policy platform on Israel and Palestine has exposed a deep rift in the party’s stance, leaving one to wonder if the leadership is truly committed to finding a balanced solution. The dispute centers around the removal of explicit references to Hamas disarming and having no role in the Palestinian state, sparking accusations that some senior Labor figures are more concerned with appeasing special interest groups than upholding the government’s stated policy positions.

The controversy comes at a time when Labor is trying to present a unified front on contentious issues ahead of its national conference. The party had planned for two Melbourne MPs – Josh Burns and Basem Abdo – to jointly present the section of the platform on Israel/Palestine, but infighting over wording threatens to derail this hope.

At the heart of the controversy lies the accusation from former Labor MP Michael Danby that Josh Burns is acting as a “human shield” for Foreign Minister Penny Wong. This inflammatory attack raises questions about whether some senior Labor figures are more concerned with personal politics than genuine policy-making.

The draft platform, criticized by Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-chief executive Peter Wertheim, lacks balance and fails to reflect the government’s stated policy positions. Wertheim’s comments highlight the disconnect between the party’s rhetoric and its actual stance on key issues like Hamas’ role in Gaza.

Wertheim’s bond with Albanese, formed two decades ago when Albanese opposed the boycott, divestment, and sanctions movement against Israel, underscores the complexities of Labor’s position. Wertheim’s criticism is significant given his close relationship with Albanese, who has repeatedly argued that Hamas must have no role in Gaza.

The Government’s Stance: A Reversal?

The removal of explicit references to Hamas disarming and having no role in the Palestinian state from the draft platform raises questions about the government’s commitment to its stated policy positions. Foreign Minister Penny Wong’s statement condemning China’s missile test in the Pacific highlights her willingness to speak out on issues of regional security, but her silence on the Labor Party’s stance on Hamas is striking.

The absence of explicit references to Hamas disarming and having no role in the Palestinian state from the draft platform has been widely criticized. The government insists that recognition of a Palestinian state relies on commitments from the Palestinian Authority to reform governance, terminate payments to families of prisoners, institute schooling reform, and hold general elections – a position not reflected in the current draft.

A Test of Leadership

The controversy over Labor’s Israel-Palestine policy platform presents a significant test for the party leadership. Albanese’s commitment to finding a balanced solution has been repeatedly questioned by critics who argue that he is more concerned with appeasing special interest groups than upholding the government’s stated policy positions.

Danby’s inflammatory language highlights the personal politics at play in this dispute, while Burns’ decision not to comment on the accusations against him only adds to the sense of unease within the party.

The Way Forward

As the national conference approaches, it remains to be seen whether Labor will be able to present a unified front on contentious issues. Albanese must decide whether to stand by his stated policy positions or cave in to pressure from special interest groups – a decision that will have far-reaching implications for the party’s leadership and its ability to navigate complex global issues.

Ultimately, the outcome of this controversy will depend on Labor’s commitment to finding a balanced solution that reflects the government’s stated policy positions. Anything less will only serve to undermine confidence in the party’s leadership and its ability to address the complexities of the Israel-Palestine conflict.