After over 18 months of genocide and close to 80 years of dispossession, voting in solidarity with Palestine is a necessary and urgent election issue. Long before October 2023, we have witnessed the failure of Australian governments to advocate for a free Palestine, instead choosing to regurgitate ‘neutral’ middle-ground stances at best, or espouse complete lies that both excuse genocide, and disproportionately harm and legitimise violence towards Arab-Australian communities, at worst. Holistically, Palestine has been relegated to a minor issue this election by major parties, despite the uprising of Greens-affiliated and independent candidates who have been loud and vocal about Palestine. Candidates like Mehreen Faruqi, David Shoebridge, and Ziad Basyouny have spoken out in direct response to the insufficient and cruel policies of both the Labor and Liberal parties. There is no excuse for politicians to remain silent on Palestine.
While the Labor Party under Albanese has called for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, unhindered aid access to Gaza, and an end to illegal Israeli settlements, it has failed to call for a two-way arms embargo on Israel or support self-determination in Palestine. Labor has also refused to use the word genocide to describe over 18 months of continued massacre, froze UNRWA funding, failed to oppose anti-Palestinian racism or support ICC warrants for Israeli political leaders. In March 2024, Prime Minister Albanese and Foreign Minister Wong were also referred to the ICC for investigation into their support of Israel’s actions in Gaza. Albanese has also consistently lied about Australian-Israeli defence, military sales, and cooperation partnerships. The Liberal Party has holistically failed on every point alongside the ALP. Similarly, they also failed to call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, aid for Gaza, or a ban on illegal Israeli settlements.
However, there is no shortage of Palestinian voices and human rights organisations that continue to bear witness to Australian political complicity and aid to Israel in the face of violent genocide. These organisations and networks work tirelessly to advocate for a Free Palestine, and make clear diverging Australian political stances on Palestine. Hiba Farra is an executive member of the Australia Palestine Advocacy Network (APAN). On 18th February, I had the opportunity to discuss the importance of voting in solidarity with Palestine with Hiba, and here’s what she had to say:
Why is it important for voters to consider Palestine first when casting their vote in this election?
H: Placing Palestine at the forefront isn’t just a political choice. It’s a moral one. Voters who value justice, anti-colonialism and international law support the Palestinian cause and Palestinian rights. To them, this is not optional — it’s essential. It’s not just foreign policy they are interested in. [APAN] looks at it as defining and testing the nation’s commitment to human rights and global justice.
Look at your values and political priorities, and know that Palestine is a human rights and justice issue. A country’s stance on Palestine is reflected in its broader approach to justice at home. If it’s being supported, it says a lot about what is happening at home. We understand that Australia is a middle power. Its responsibility is to lead with principle. Through its diplomatic weight, Australia can demand accountability. When you’re going to cast your vote, your government will represent you and that will be envisaged in policy ahead.
Voting with Palestine in mind is not just an act of solidarity with Palestine but with all oppressed people. It reflects a growing movement led by young people, students. Australia should have a stance that is firm on the side of accountability and lasting peace.
It’s not about geography. It stands for a broader vision for justice worldwide — here and abroad. When you help [Palestine], you help yourself. When you’re free, they’re free, and if Palestine is not free, you’ll never be free.
What impact can a pro-Palestinian Australian government have on the ongoing genocide and struggle for Palestinian rights?
H: It’s more of a pro-justice government, a pro-international law government. It can influence in meaningful ways, even if Australia is not a major global power. It still can have an impact: symbolic, political, and potential for a ripple effect. Australia could use its position in international forums: the UN, the ICC, and the ICJ. It can advocate for an investigation into war crimes, and demand a permanent ceasefire. It could end military cooperation and implement a red-line package of legislation which would hold arms and stop links to war crimes. All these things can send a strong message as part of the broader international movement that all middle powers should do the same. It could also influence media narrative and public discourse. The media has been awful at reporting on Palestine and Gaza. It can align with other countries in the Global South to form a stronger bloc advocating for Palestinian rights. Australia alone can’t stop a genocide or decades of occupation, but a principled foreign policy shift can contribute to the momentum needed to stop. It can have a huge influence on countries in the region.
How do different parties currently stand on the issue of Palestine?
H: Although [The ALP] has long supported a two-state solution and at its 2023 national conference worked towards the recognition of Palestine, in reality, the Albanese government has not taken significant action beyond symbolism. Ties with Israel remain; it has abstained from many UN resolutions critical of Israel. The supporters of justice with Palestine keep feeling the government hasn’t handled its stance on genocide well.
On the other hand, you have the Liberal party, which is strongly pro-Israel. The Coalition recognised Jerusalem as Israel’s capital under Morrison. It often takes hardline stances in support of Israel’s policies, [such as] the recent statement by Michaelia Cash that they would invite Netanyahu to Australia despite knowing there is an arrest warrant against him.
Then the Greens party, which is unapologetically supportive of Palestine and its people. They say they would end military cooperation, sanction Israel if they were in power. To put it in short: a genocide in place was enough to show everyone’s true colours. It was a test for humanity and morals. Very few did not fail people in that domain.
What are some key policies that voters should look for to ensure they vote in solidarity with Palestine?
H: The things we need to be looking at are:
- What is their stance on ending military and intelligence ties to Israel, sanctioning Israeli leaders and having war criminals come to Australia?
- Do they support the ICC, ICJ, and UN inquiries into Genocide?
- Do they back the BDS movement?
- Language: Do they recognise Israel as an occupier? Do they see the apartheid system and speak about it? Do they point out human rights abuses?
When there is a genocide taking place and they use terms like “conflict”, that says a lot.
How can voting with Palestine in mind also serve to protect and empower the Arab and Muslim communities here in Australia, especially in the face of rising Islamophobia and Anti-Arab hate speech?
H: When voting with Palestine in mind, it isn’t just about foreign policy. It’s about standing for justice at home. It’s a rejection of a double standard, a call for Arab communities in Australia to be respected and protected, for marginalised groups to be seen and heard. Voting with Palestine plays a powerful role in protecting and empowering Arab and Muslim communities here. It helps stand against Islamophobia here. Politicians who stand against Palestine often [stoke] anti-Arab hate domestically. Voting for candidates who speak up for Palestine sends a message that Anti-Muslim racism won’t be tolerated. It also pushes against the idea that Arab and Muslim suffering is less worthy of compassion.
For a long time, we’ve seen the Arab community and Muslim community, [as well as] all the like-minded people that are pro-justice, take to the streets. They feel not heard. They feel not seen. Everything they’ve done to make politicians see them… [Politicians] are not doing what is expected of them. They’re not being truthful to their community. It’s a [big] disappointment. How can you still not see us? How can you still not hear our cry for justice?
Public support for Palestine affirms the identity and experiences of Arab communities in Australia who feel erased or silenced. Their pain matters, and their stories are valid. They’re important for Australian society to hear. When they demand representation that reflects communities. It’s valid. There should be someone there to express their worries, hear their despair, and who will not choose to ignore them. It’s a clear message that they reflect their community.
Often, these voices are targeted by the media. Even cries for help are brushed under the carpet. Voting with Palestine in mind is a domestic justice issue. It’s about rejecting any double standards, demanding dignity, and demanding that you listen to them as you listen to anyone else.
How can voters hold MPs accountable and work towards justice in Palestine beyond the ballot?
H: It’s important that students, and people in general, understand that voting is just the beginning. The real change happens when communities support change beyond election day. It’s not about having a certain party in power [to] run the show. It’s about communities continuing to engage and organise. [APAN] is tracking every candidate’s records for stance on Palestinian self-determination and Israeli war crimes.
You should support a candidate who reflects your beliefs and principles. Once you choose a candidate, you need to keep a check on what they are doing. Is that candidate being truthful to what [they] promised you? Are they delivering what they said they would do? Was it only promised during the pre-election campaigns, or are they delivering on the ground?
This year, Palestine is on the ballot. The genocide has allowed us to see all the masks fall off. If a genocide has not allowed you to speak up. Nothing will. Politicians who refuse to speak out have failed. But then you see politicians who have spoken up and elected the human inside them.
We ask communities to stay connected, stay loud. Keep the pressure by calling, emailing MPs. Attend town halls, forums where you know the MP will be speaking and ask direct questions. Get involved in different groups, whether they’re interstate or grassroots movements. Students can find their groups that they can join within university, they can join APAN to learn and to help mobilise and educate and share information with people. Continue exposing hypocrisy and double standards. Continue demanding action from the government. Continue mobilising for Palestinians.
Palestinians are showing us what is happening on the ground in Gaza. Our role is to amplify their voices. We need to amplify the voices that Israel is trying so hard to silence. Cooperate with other movements. Build alliances with First Nations and anti-racist groups. All these things together help here and abroad as well.
What message do you want to send to students and young voters who feel disempowered by the current Labor Government’s stance on Palestine?
H: [Your] frustration is valid, but [your] power is enormous. It is real. It is needed. It is important to remember that every movement for justice has faced betrayal and pressure from governments. It did not stop them from rising, disrupting, refusing to normalise what is happening, refusing to get used to what is happening or becoming desensitised. They must know they are not powerless. They are the real power that will change the status quo. That’s exactly why [those who do not like] this conversation taking place on our campuses are trying to make people feel powerless.
History has taught us, in America, in the Vietnam War, from apartheid South Africa to Palestine, that the student movement was the real power behind change. It’s important to remember that. Change starts from them. [Students] should not be disempowered. They are fighting for a cause that is just. They need to see Palestinians as well, under these terrible circumstances, who still haven’t lost hope. Everything in their way is telling them to lose hope, but they are refusing to do so. If they still have hope, we definitely should. We should be the reason for the people in Palestine to be hopeful. We’re not leaving them alone. We’re never going to ignore what’s happening or think that it’s normal. We will not become desensitised to seeing so much injustice. In the classroom, at rallies, online and very importantly at the ballot box itself: refuse to normalise oppression.
What has been done so far has been inspirational to everyone, [including] people in Palestine. When the encampment started in Palestine, [my family] sent me photos of writing on the tents: thank you for the students in the encampments. Their voices are reaching Gaza. It reminds them that they are not forgotten and that there are people who still believe change will happen sooner or later.
