Israeli embassy pressures Australian Labour over Palestine platform
Al Mayadeen Embassy of “Israel”, Canberra, 2022 (Wikimedia Commons)
The Israeli embassy in Canberra has publicly challenged the Australian Labour Party’s proposed Palestine platform, objecting to its focus on occupation, “annexation”, and settler violence.
The Israeli embassy in Canberra has publicly challenged proposed changes to the Australian Labour Party’s policy on Palestine, drawing attention to what appears to be an unusual attempt by a foreign government to influence an internal party debate, The Guardian reported.
In a four-page statement released on Monday, the embassy criticized sections of Labour’s draft national platform ahead of the party’s conference in Adelaide this week.
The proposed platform includes stronger language opposing the occupation and “annexation” of Palestinian territory, as well as Israeli settler violence in the occupied West Bank.
“The Embassy of Israel notes these policy motions are still in draft form, and will continue to engage constructively with the Australian Labour Party through the usual diplomatic channels,” the statement read.
“However, the embassy respectfully submits that several elements of the draft platform risk placing responsibility for the conflict on one party while giving insufficient attention to the decisions, conduct and continuing obligations of the Palestinian leadership and terrorist organisations such as Hamas.”
Foreign embassy enters domestic party dispute
The intervention is notable because the Labour platform is an internal party document debated and approved at the party’s national conference every three years.
Foreign governments rarely issue detailed public objections to policies that remain under discussion within an Australian political party.
The embassy’s statement therefore adds to existing tensions between the Israeli occupation and Labour, whose position on Palestine has shifted significantly since the party’s previous national conference in 2023.
The earlier platform contained only a brief reference to recognizing a Palestinian state. The 2026 draft expands Labour’s position to include opposition to territorial “annexation”, the occupation, and violence carried out by Israeli settlers.
The Australian government formally recognized the State of Palestine in August 2025 and has repeatedly condemned settler attacks in the occupied West Bank.
Australia also joined several other Western governments last month in imposing sanctions on individuals accused of involvement in such violence.
Embassy downplays settler violence
The Israeli embassy objected to the prominence given to settler violence in the draft, describing it as a “reprehensible but marginal phenomenon” that had received “disproportionate attention”.
“Those seeking peace would be better served to focus its scrutiny on the terrorism experienced by both Jewish and Arab Israelis at the hands of terrorist groups such as Hamas,” it said.
The statement also focused on changes made during the drafting process.
An earlier version of the platform included the sentence: “Hamas must disarm and can have no role in the State of Palestine.”
That wording was removed from the final version scheduled for debate, although the document still identifies Hamas as an “organization responsible for terrorism and violent extremism.”
The embassy called on political parties to formulate their positions “not around assigning blame, but around the conditions that history demonstrations are essential for lasting peace.”
“[Israel] remains committed to a future in which Israelis and Palestinians live alongside one another in peace and security,” it said. “That future, however, cannot be built through unilateral political declarations or international pressure directed at only one side.”
Labour factions prepare for conference debate
The Palestine section of the platform is expected to face competing amendments during the conference, with Labour’s pro-Palestine and pro-“Israel” blocs likely to seek changes to the final wording.
Multicultural Affairs Minister Anne Aly appeared unconcerned by the Israeli embassy’s public criticism when questioned about the statement.
“You know, they will do what they feel is right,” she told ABC Afternoon Briefing.
Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong declined to comment on the embassy’s interference.