Push for ‘greater legal measures’ for soldiers returning from Israel
Gaza is expected to fuel heated debate at the national Labor conference in Adelaide with a push expected on Saturday for tough new rules for dual-citizens returning to Australia.
An outspoken Labor member is set to push the federal government on increased legal measures for returned soldiers from Israel and Gaza at the national Labor conference being held in Adelaide on Saturday, as the party faces new pressure over its Israel-Palestine position.
InDaily understands NSW Labor member and former Labor Minister for Industry and Science Ed Husic is expected to present a motion on Saturday pushing for the government to instigate new legal measures.
“I’ve spoken a number of times about my concerns about dual nationals fighting in that part of the world not only being potentially implicated in war crimes but on return, the community safety elements of people that may be experiencing post traumatic stress and how we keep tabs on that and how we deal with that as well,” Husic said.
“We don’t want people going to fight for Hamas, I certainly don’t want people to go and fight with the Israel Defence Forces. I think you should stay out of that theatre given the concerns that exist, what’s happened in Gaza and I think we should take steps on that.”
Husic told a Labor Friends of Palestine event last weekend that he was “deeply concerned” about “elements of fear and loathing that drive the way we respond to these issues”.
The Labor Party member has been publicly outspoken about pushing for actions against the Israeli Government. A June report by the United Nations Independent International Commission of Inquiry accuses Israel of genocide and the deliberate targeting and killing of Palestinian children, which Israel has denied.
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Executive officer of the Australia Palestine Advocacy Organisation (APAN) Katie Shammas, who is also lobbying Labor members at the conference this week, said “anyone who has committed war crimes with Israel and returns to Australia must be investigated and charged”.
“This could and should be adopted as Labor policy tomorrow morning on conference floor, and we support Ed Husic and human rights experts for making this clear call,” Shammas said.
“Israel is committing genocide in Palestine and Labor must help cut off the supply of weapons, investments and political support for these atrocities.
“Australia cannot claim to support international law while turning a blind eye to credible allegations against its own citizens. Accountability must be universal.”
Earlier this month, the Australian Centre for International Justice (ACIJ) brought forward a brief to Australian Federal Police (AFP) detailing alleged war crimes against an Australian citizen working with the Israeli Defence Force in Gaza.
Under Australian law, citizens can legally serve in foreign militaries, but alleged war crimes will be dealt with in Australia.
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“If Australians are alleged to have committed war crimes, they should be investigated just as Australia expects accountability from everyone else,” Shammas said.
“We are aware of one AFP investigation underway currently thanks to the work of the ACIJ, but we need to see more.”
Thousands of senior Labor officials are expected to be at the Adelaide Convention Centre on Saturday as debate begins on the party’s stance on the Israel-Palestine conflict.
Labor’s 126-page draft national platform includes nine points on Israel-Palestine. This ranges from stating the party’s support for a two-state solution, recognising the state of Palestine, opposing the annexation of Palestinian territory and “reaffirms our belief that Israelis and Palestinians deserve to live their lives free from terror and violence”.
The draft national platform has already spurred the Israel Embassy in Canberra to issue a lengthy statement on its website outlining six areas it was concerned about in the party’s platform, including the party’s support of the International Criminal Court.
The Labor draft position that will be debated also includes the party’s support for the International Court of Justice, acknowledging its findings that Israel’s continued presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory was “unlawful”.
“Labor urges the government to prevent any support being given to illegal settlement activity or extremist settler violence, and to implement further action and sanctions as necessary,” it said.
Internationally, pressure is mounting on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court for alleged war crimes, to be arrested.
New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani released a social media earlier this week detailing plans to arrest the Israeli leader.
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