Anthony Albanese and Penny Wong's decision to vote in favor of a United Nations resolution calling for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict sparked fierce criticism from Israel and Jewish groups.
But it shouldn't have come as much of a surprise, given the comments made by four neighboring Labor frontbenchers about the conflict.
Industry Minister Ed Husic, House of Representatives Leader Tony Burke, Education Minister Jason Clare and Energy Minister Chris Bowen have each spoken sympathetically about the plight of the Palestinians.
Some drew fire for deviating from the government's position at the time. Each of the ministers represents neighboring constituents with large Muslim communities in Sydney's west.
Australia's first Muslim minister, Ed Husic, represents the community of Chifley in western Sydney, which includes suburbs such as Quakers Hill, Riverstone and Schofields, and was one of the first Labor MPs to deviate from the party line.
Husic said in October that Palestinians are being “collectively punished by Israel for the barbarism of Hamas.”
Cabinet minister and Cowan MP Anne Aly, who is also Muslim, backed his comments, as did Labor Senate newcomer Fatima Payman.
Overwhelmingly, politicians who have expressed strong beliefs either way represent communities more directly involved in the conflict. Four of Palestine's strongest supporters represent diverse communities with large Muslim populations
Education Minister Jason Clare has also reportedly petitioned senior ministers to show more sympathy for the Palestinian cause. His seat of Blaxland includes suburbs such as Merrylands and Auburn with large Muslim populations.
Mr Clare told News Corp: 'The plight of civilians in Gaza is heartbreaking. My community feels that more than most.
“These aren't just dead bodies on television, to many in my community they are family.”
Industrial Relations Minister Tony Burke also appears to reflect the values of locals in his Western Sydney electorate of Watson.
Mr Burke supported the Canterbury-Bankstown Council's decision to fly a Palestinian flag, has publicly attended commemorations for Palestinian citizens and said his community had been devastated by “images of dead babies” coming from Gaza.
His electorate represents some of the most diverse parts of Australia, including Lakemba, Punchbowl and Bankstown.
During an interview with ABC Radio, Mr Burke was asked what he would say to people who described the situation as a 'genocide' against Palestine.
“I think your listeners will find their own words to describe it,” he said.
Colin Rubenstein, executive director of the Jewish Affairs Council, denounced Burke at the time, insisting he had “crossed a line.”
Alex Ryvchin, co-director of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, said the interview was a clear example of how “language matters and leadership matters”, adding the council “expects better”.
'Genocide is not a buzzword. It is the most heinous crime a nation can commit and involves the deliberate extermination of an ethnic group,” Ryvchin said.
Energy Minister Chris Bowen, whose McMahon electorate has nearly 25,000 Muslim residents, recently said: “Israel cannot be truly safe and free until Palestine is safe and free.”
'Ultimately that is our long-term goal.
“You can believe in the legitimate aspirations and rights of the Palestinian people without in any way exonerating or condemning the heinous acts of Hamas.”
Mr Bowen argued that both Islamophobia and anti-Semitism should be “equally condemned” in Australia.
After months of Labor officially supporting Israel's right to defend itself, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Foreign Minister Penny Wong shocked some within the caucus when they backed a UN call for a ceasefire.
After months of Labor officially backing Israel's right to defend itself, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Foreign Minister Penny Wong shocked some in the Labor caucus when they backed a UN call for a ceasefire.
Just six weeks ago, Australia abstained from a similar vote.
But the government is facing increasing pressure from all sides of the debate. The Coalition and Jewish organizations have accused Labor of being soft on Hamas and not doing enough to condemn the October 7 terror attacks.
Meanwhile, the Greens and left-wing sympathizers have called on the government to be stronger in its calls for restraint.
According to new reports, the pair did not extensively consult their party before making this decision, which contradicted the position of our strongest ally, the United States.
Great Britain abstained.
Jewish Liberal MP Julian Leeser denounced the government's support for the ceasefire recommendation, accusing them of securing inner-city votes and showing “weakness” during the crisis.
And financial opposition spokeswoman Jane Hume argued: 'A ceasefire will only keep Hamas in power, able to rearm, reorganize and repeat the deliberate killings, rapes, beheadings and kidnappings of innocent people. '
While Senator Wong has argued that this decision is in line with the government's long-standing position on the conflict, Jewish groups have argued that it creates “uncertainty and confusion” at a time when anti-Semitism has already increased in the community.
Israeli Ambassador to Australia Amir Maimon said: “I find it difficult to understand how Australia can support Israel's right to defend its people against terrorist aggression, while also voting for a ceasefire that will and allow the country to resume its attacks on Israelis. .
The vote in Australia comes a day after Israel returned the remains of two murdered hostages from Gaza, and rocket fire continued to rain down on southern Israel. This war can only end when Hamas is completely defeated and all our hostages are freed.”
Labor newcomer Fatima Payman (pictured hugging Penny Wong) has backed Palestine and called on Israel to show restraint for weeks, despite the initial party line defending Israel's right to defend itself.
Mr Albanese, along with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and New Zealand's Christopher Luxon, released a joint letter admitting they are “alarmed by the declining safe space for civilians in Gaza.”
“We recognize Israel's right to exist and its right to defend itself. In defending itself, Israel must respect international humanitarian law. Citizens and civilian infrastructure must be protected,” the letter said.
Josh Burns, a Jewish backbencher who represents the Melbourne seat of Macnamara and one of the highest Jewish populations in the country, recently returned from a trip to Israel where he expressed his staunch support for the nation and its response to the Hamas attack repeated.
While there, he said that “any ceasefire cannot be one-sided and must be negotiated between the two sides.”
He has since said the UN ceasefire resolution would not resolve the crisis.
“The only way out of this terrible situation is for the hostages to be released and for Hamas to be removed from power in Gaza.
“It doesn't end with the wish for it to happen.”
Mr Burns' grandmother fled Nazi Germany and established a life in Australia.
Matt Thisthlethwaite also represents a large Jewish population in Kingsford Smith in Sydney's east.
He has repeatedly said Australia stands with Israel and condemned the October 7 Hamas attack.
But he backed the UN's push for a humanitarian ceasefire on Thursday, arguing that the resolution still “condemns the actions of Hamas.”
“The resolution makes clear that Australia undoubtedly condemns the actions of Hamas, calls for the immediate release of hostages and recognizes Israel's right to defend itself,” he said.
“But it also says that humanitarian international law must be upheld… We had a humanitarian pause that allowed aid, especially food and water, into the region.
“We want that humanitarian pause to be reinstated so that aid can get back into the region.”
The two other electorates with significant Jewish populations went Teal in the last election: Zoe Daniels' Goldstein and Allegra Spender's Wentworth.