A cross-section of New South Wales politicians, including several Labor members and one Liberal MP, has issued a letter stating they stand with Palestinians and the Palestinian-Australian community “facing a catastrophic crisis”.
The group, which calls itself the NSW Parliamentary Friends of Palestine, is co-chaired by Labor MP Julia Finn and Greens MP Jenny Leong.
Its letter has signatures from 22 sitting parliamentarians, including 16 who are part of the Labor state government.
The letter opens with a condemnation of “terrible acts of terror committed by Hamas” and calls for the immediate release of hostages taken during the October 7 attacks.
In response, the Israeli military has laid siege to the Gaza Strip and launched a series of air strikes on the Palestinian territory.
Many of the signatories are based in Western and South-western Sydney electorates including Granville, Auburn, Holsworthy, Liverpool and East Hills.
Holsworthy MP Tina Ayyad is the sole Liberal member to sign the statement.
In the letter, the signatories ask “the government of Australia to clearly call upon all actors including the state of Israel, to comply with international humanitarian law”.
“We stand with Palestine and the Palestinian-Australian community who are currently facing a catastrophic crisis,” it reads.
No members of the NSW front bench have signed it, including Jihad Dib who last week in state parliament said the underlying issues of the conflict were complex.
“I pray for a de-escalation that ensures that both sides protect the innocent civilians who are caught up in the middle,” he said.
“It is important to acknowledge the loss of all civilian lives in the Israel-Hamas war, as well as the Palestinian and Israeli lives that have been lost over the course of the many years of conflict between the two parties.”
It comes after Federal Labor MP, Ed Husic, a Minister in the Albanese government, told the ABC this morning that “Palestinians are being collectively punished here for Hamas’ barbarism”.
On Friday, Premier Chris Minns said the government needed to show “discipline” and “speak with one voice” as a government.
“I would prefer they not sign letters like that,” he said.
“It does put pressure on MPs that don’t or aren’t signatories of that letter because they’ve taken a view that there are many parts of the community that they have to take into consideration.”
This weekend, a third pro-Palestinian rally is scheduled to take place in Sydney.
Mr Minns has criticised the actions of Pro-Palestinian protesters over their conduct after the colours of Israel’s flag were displayed on the Opera House.
It led to a second planned protest being refused authorisation by NSW Police, before proceeding as a static gathering at Hyde Park on Sunday.
One person has been charged in the wake of that event for allegedly using offensive language in public.
Three men have also been charged with common assault relating to an alleged incident during the first protest on October 9.
Thousands of people have attended the Sydney rallies, and organisers have condemned the use of violence or offensive language, saying those who do are “not part of our movement”.
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