Political leaders are calling for cooler heads to prevail over the Gaza conflict after a senator suggested she’d burn down Parliament House to make a point about Palestinian rights.
Addressing a rally in Melbourne on Sunday, Victorian independent Lidia Thorpe likened the Palestinian struggle to the fight for Indigenous rights in Australia.
“So we stand with you every day, and we will fight every day and we will turn up every day and if I have to, burn down Parliament House to make a point,” she said.
The comments have been condemned by Labor and Liberal politicians, but Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said it was important to take the heat out of the conversation.
“I know sometimes when a comment like this is made, or a comment that’s offensive is made, the natural instinct is, let’s all increase the pressure,” he told reporters in Canberra on Monday.
“I don’t think that’s in the interests of social cohesion.
“I don’t think the comments were, obviously, but I also don’t think us raising the temperature in return does anything other than create a problem,” Mr Burke said.
Fellow Labor frontbencher Amanda Rishworth said the comments were inappropriate.
“Lidia knows better than to make comments like that and we should probably know better than to give her attention,” she told Nine’s Today program.
The opposition has also been critical of Senator Thorpe’s remarks and argues the government should take a stronger stance.
Deputy Liberal leader Ted O’Brien said the protest went against Australian values.
“There are 400 to 5000 Australians who work in Parliament House at times of the year, and to be making those sort of statements are absolutely appalling … and to hear the roar of the crowd, that’s deeply concerning,” he told the Today program.
“I don’t understand why the government won’t take a stronger line on this.”
Both sides of politics are hoping the release of Israeli hostages and the next stages of the ceasefire deal in Gaza will help soothe community tensions at home.
The remaining Israelis who’ve been held captive by Hamas since the October 7, 2023 attacks by Hamas are expected to be released later on Monday (AEDT), according to Israeli officials.
Israel in exchange will release around 2000 Palestinians, including senior militants and those held without charge under what is known as administrative detention.
Jewish groups also held rallies on Sunday night to pay their respects to the victims of October 7, just over two years since the start of the war between Israel and Hamas.
Israeli ambassador Amir Maimon said had he emphasised to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese that Hamas must have no role in Gaza’s future governance.
“We will not forget October 7, nor its victims including members of my own family,” he told the crowd as the rain fell and a rainbow appeared across the sky.
“We collectively hold our breath, cautiously optimistic that tomorrow our prayers will be answered and our brothers and sisters will be returned home to their families.”
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