The highest-ranking Muslim woman in Anthony Albanese’s government is facing a mob of angry pro-Palestinian activists.
Early Childhood Education Minister Anne Aly – who became Australia’s first female Muslim minister when she was elected in 2016 – was criticized by activists on Saturday over claims she has ignored the ‘genocide’ in Gaza.
The Perth MP’s ‘meet your member’ event in a suburban park was flagged by the Friends of Palestine WA group as a way to confront the Labor Party over its policies on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
A man who introduced himself as a student kicked off the heated discussion by asking Dr Aly about Australia’s decision to cut funding to the United Nations agency in Gaza, UNRWA. Funding to the agency has now resumed.
During his speech, the man tried to show Dr. Aly a photo of a starving Palestinian child and wondered what she thinks the “damage” to the child will be.
Minister of Early Childhood Education Anne Aly (right) was confronted on Saturday by a gang of pro-Palestinian activists (left)
Dr. However, Aly quickly shut down the activists, highlighting her background as an Egyptian-born and Australian-raised Muslim.
Dr. Aly has spoken out against Israel’s actions in its conflict with Hamas.
The discussion about war in the Middle East hits particularly close to home for the MP, as her father fought in the Six-Day War against Israel in 1967, during which thousands of lives were lost.
‘I’ve said it many times. My father fought in 1967, I know what happens. Don’t come here to lecture me on this issue,” she told activists on Saturday.
“I know very well what’s going on.”
One of the protesters tried to use Dr. Aly’s argument against her, saying, “Using your father’s inheritance, how shameful is that.”
She quickly shot back, “Because my father fought in the war. What have you done?’
The protesters continued to demand ‘answers’ to Labour’s policies and accused Dr Aly of supporting Zionism, a movement to establish a homeland for the Jewish people in Palestine.
Dr. Aly (pictured) is an Egyptian-born, Australian-raised Muslim who has been outspoken about the conflict in Gaza
The MP ignored the accusation and instead told the crowd to give up the “dream” that Israel would agree to a ceasefire without a negotiated truce.
‘I would like to see a ceasefire. We all agree on that, right? “What has become increasingly clear is that the only way a ceasefire can be achieved is through negotiations led by Egypt and Qatar,” she said.
Instead, she highlighted how Israel has lost much of its international support.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in particular has been criticized for complicating peace negotiations between Israel and Palestine.
Dr. Aly told Saturday’s activists that Netanyahu’s agenda was “very clear.”
“He has been in charge of the far-right part of the Israeli government, which has openly expressed their desire for the destruction and annexation of Gaza,” she said.
“It’s a concern for the Egyptians, it’s a concern for the region, and it’s a concern for me, just as it’s a concern for you.”
The activists (left) accused Dr Aly (right) of supporting ‘genocide’ and ‘Zionism’ and told her ‘don’t call yourself a Muslim’
Plain-clothed Australian federal police officers were forced to intervene as the confrontation intensified.
Dr. Aly was led away by her husband Dave Allen and a staff member when the activists called her a “coward” and told her “don’t call yourself a Muslim.”
The crowd also sang “from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” as Dr. Aly walked away.
Friends of Palestine WA told its nearly 9,000 followers to ‘tell federal Labor member Anne Aly what you think of her government’s appalling record of supporting Israel’s genocide over the past five months’ on the morning of her event.
It urged those present to Dr. to question Aly about the government’s suspension of UNRWA aid and aid to Palestinian refugees.
Funding was halted by several international governments after it emerged that Hamas terrorists had siphoned off some of the aid.
Dr. Aly (right) was led away from the activists (left) by her husband Dave Allen and a staff member as the activists called her a ‘coward’
The Australian Jewish Association responded to the incident on Wednesday, writing: “These guys aren’t that smart. They are harassing one of the most anti-Israel Labor MPs around.”
The Jewish Council of Deputies of New South Wales also commented: ‘This is an intolerable situation and for the sake of our democracy we cannot tolerate this intimidating behaviour.
“Based on her comments, Anne Aly clearly holds a different view than we do, but we will vigorously defend her right to hold that view free from threats and intimidation.”
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Anne Aly for comment.