Albanese seeks call with Netanyahu following Sydney, Melbourne protests
Assistant Minister for Immigration Matt Thistlethwaite confirmed on Monday the call was being pursued, as Labor politicians backed the peaceful protest organised by the Palestine Action Group with at least three members of the federal caucus in attendance.
Backbenchers Ed Husic, Alison Byrnes and Tony Sheldon marched with protesters on Sunday, putting further pressure on Albanese to recognise Palestine.
Thistlethwaite condemned any forms of antisemitism or pro-Iran sentiments at the protest, telling Sky News people holding images of Iran's supreme leader Ali Khamenei was wrong.
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'A phone call [with Netanyahu] is being pursued. I don't believe that people should have been displaying photos of the Ayatollah Khamenei. I think that's provocative,' he said.
'Nonetheless, Australians have the right to protest and, as long as you do it peacefully and in accordance with the law, which is what occurred on the weekend, then every Australian has the right to protest.'
The government has repeatedly said that recognition of a Palestinian state is a matter of timing. Allies in France, Canada and the United Kingdom have all laid the groundwork to recognise the state at the next United Nations General Assembly in September.
Husic told ABC Radio National he hoped the government would immediately recognise a Palestinian state, arguing the protest sent a signal to Albanese that people want further action.
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