Extraordinary archive footage has emerged showing Prime Minister Anthony Albanese criticizing Israel for “creating a humanitarian crisis in Palestine” during a speech to parliament more than two decades ago.
A clip of Mr Albanese condemning Israel in a speech to the House of Representatives in 2002 – when he was the Labor Opposition’s spokesman for employment and training – is circulating among pro-Palestinian activists amid the commemoration of the 7 terrorist attacks October.
In the long-forgotten speech, a transcript of which is still published on the Prime Minister’s website, Mr Albanese addressed acts of violence committed by both sides in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in New York.
But the Labor MP spoke largely about the violence Israel had inflicted on the Palestinians and the speech included statements sympathetic to the Palestinians, such as “Palestinians experience Israelis as occupiers.”
Albanian and Foreign Minister Penny Wong have come under heavy criticism of the government’s position since the current conflict broke out between Israel and Hamas on October 7, 2023.
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton on Tuesday accused the Prime Minister of “speaking with both sides of his mouth” in Parliament by trying to include tributes to Lebanese and Palestinian victims in a parliamentary motion honoring the victims of the October 7 massacre.
Mr Albanese’s position on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in 2002 appeared considerably sharper in tone than his comments since becoming head of government.
“In the battle for hearts and minds, there is no room for ambiguity when it comes to respect for human rights,” he said.
Anthony Albanese is pictured addressing the House of Representatives in 2002, when he was shadow minister
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is pictured in the House of Representatives on Tuesday
Mr Albanese continued: “The establishment of the State of Israel in 1948 and subsequent events have created up to 3.8 million Palestinian refugees to date.
“Self-defense is not a blank check and responding to terrorism in no way frees Israel from its obligations under international law, nor does it justify creating a human rights and humanitarian crisis in Palestine.”
He condemned Israel for using tanks, helicopters with guns and F16 fighter jets against a population without military and protective institutions, along with the US for giving $3 billion to the Jewish state.
“Israelis continue to demonize all Palestinians as terrorists, Palestinians experience Israelis as occupiers and employers of cheap labor, interrogators and prison guards.”
“It is up to all of us to try to see both sides of this conflict and to apply pressure where we can to try to correct the repressive policies of the Israeli government and its military and to oppose the Palestinian extremists side that deals with terrorism.’
Mr Albanese expressed support for a two-state solution in which Israelis and Palestinians could coexist peacefully – something his government publicly supports 22 years later.
Footage of the speech has circulated among pro-Palestinian supporters and Greens staffers in recent weeks. Someone said online: ‘This man should be Prime Minister, much better than the man we have now.’
Another said: ‘What happened to that guy?’
A third user wrote: ‘PM Albanese now has different ‘Western values’.
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has plunged the government into turbulent waters and sidelined it across the spectrum.
Within Labour’s own ranks, WA Senator Fatima Payman discussed the issue and supported a motion from the Greens, before resigning from the Labor Party altogether.
She has since spoken out strongly against the violence inflicted on Palestinians by the Israeli army, and on Wednesday she announced her own political party, called Australia’s Voice.
Meanwhile, Mr Dutton drew cheers from the crowd delivering a speech to Jewish Australians to mark the October 7 anniversary in Sydney – while Mr Albanese mocked a similar event in Melbourne.
Anthony Albanese is pictured center on Monday at an Oct. 7 event in Melbourne
Some people held signs reading “Shame on you Albo” (pictured) and accused the prime minister of not supporting Israel
On Tuesday, Mr Albanese opened parliament on Tuesday with a motion to condemn Hamas‘October 7 attack on Israela tribute to ‘every innocent life’ in the violence.
“Our government has consistently and repeatedly called for a ceasefire for the release of all hostages and for the protection of all civilians,” he said.
“We remain committed to a two-state solution as a path to lasting peace, where two states, Israel and Palestine, live peacefully side by side with prosperity and security for their people.”
However, in a scathing speech – and a striking break with the divisions surrounding these issues – Mr Dutton refused to support the motion.
Mr Dutton accused Mr Albanese of introducing a motion that also recognized Palestinians, rather than focusing solely on the anniversary of the 1,200 Israeli terrorist deaths.
He told the House of Representatives on Tuesday morning that it was clear he could not support the motion after meeting Mr Albanese.
“I think if you look deeper into what the Prime Minister has proposed, it becomes clearer why the Coalition cannot currently support this motion in the House of Representatives.
“This government has tried to walk both sides of the street… The prime minister must be convicted.”
Mr Dutton said the motion goes beyond what should be a tribute to the 1,200 Israelis killed on October 7.
The Prime Minister declined to comment when contacted by Daily Mail Australia.