The winner of the ‘Australian of the Year’ award was criticised for calling members of the terrorist organisation Hamas ‘freedom fighters’.
Betul Tuna, an openly Palestinian activist who wore a scarf inspired by the Palestinian keffiyeh when she accepted her “Local Hero” award, shared the disturbing content earlier this week.
In her controversial post, Ms Tuna said that those “who label the colonists as terrorists are declared freedom fighters by historians”.
Ms Tuna describes herself as a ‘change maker, activist, advocate and intersectional feminist’ and works for the Victorian Government in child protection.
She received the Local Hero Award in recognition of her ‘strong commitment to humanitarian and social causes’.
Her comments about Hamas followed the death of Ismail Haniyeh, the group’s former leader who was assassinated in Iran on July 31.
Ms Tuna’s post was described as “appalling” and “divisive”, yet days later she was featured in an advertisement promoting the Australian of the Year award by the National Australia Day Council (NADC).
The ad was also shared by the Department of Premier and Cabinet, which called on Victorians to “recognise someone in their community who is helping Victorians”.
Betul Tuna (pictured) called members of Hamas, a terrorist organization, “freedom fighters”
Ms Tuna is the recipient of the ‘Local Hero’ award for Australian of the Year (Ms Tuna is pictured accepting the award from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese)
However, this is not the first time that the NADC has overlooked Ms Tuna’s support for Palestine. Herald Sun reported.
The activist has shared several anti-Israel messages since the October 7 Hamas massacre and subsequent war in Gaza, which has created a humanitarian crisis.
Ms Tuna also recently shared photos of a protester wearing a sweatshirt with the words “Intifada Revolution” at a rally in Melbourne’s CBD.
The phrase calls for a violent uprising against Israel. Two past intifadas have resulted in the deaths of thousands of Palestinians.
Alex Ryvchin, co-CEO of the Executive Council of Australian Jews, called on the NADC to shift the emphasis in awarding prizes to “leadership and virtuous conduct” rather than honouring those who “inflame and divide”.
Ms Tuna (pictured) described herself as a ‘change maker, activist, advocate and intersectional feminist’ and works for the Victorian Government in child protection.
“Ms. Tuna’s comments on terrorism and her support for violent uprisings show that she has blindly swallowed the superficial propaganda of the anti-Israel movement,” he said.
“If Ms Tuna is willing to meet with Jewish Australians, including victims of Palestinian terrorism, to better understand why her words are so horrific and hurtful, then we would be happy to do so.”
In response to criticism of Ms Tuna over her recent advert, the NADC said: ‘Nominations for the Australian of the Year – Local Hero award are given to individuals who have made a significant contribution to the local community.
‘The recipients are selected by an independent committee from a shortlist of nominations put forward by the Victorian community.’