Australian government confirms Sue Lines will not attend Auschwitz commemoration

January 22, 2025 by Rob Klein
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Contrary to reports, Senate President and Labor Senator Sue Lines will not attend the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz following backlash over her past comments accusing Israel of apartheid. The Australian government confirmed that Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong and Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus will represent the country at the commemoration in Poland.

Senator Sue Lines    Photo: Screenshot

Initial media reports suggested that Lines, who previously cited an Amnesty International report labelling Israeli policies as apartheid, was set to lead Australia’s delegation, which will included Special Envoy to Combat Antisemitism Jillian Segal and Jewish-Australian community leaders. However, government sources later clarified that Lines was never considered for the role, stating that senior ministers had been selected for the event months in advance. Despite this, her potential inclusion drew widespread criticism from Jewish organizations and political figures.

Liberal Senator James Paterson condemned the decision, stating on X (formerly Twitter), “Sue Lines is one of the most unhinged anti-Israel members of the Parliament from the far left of the Labor Party. She’s as hostile to the Jewish state as any Greens MP. It shows appalling judgement to send her to this important and sensitive event.” Former Speaker of the House and Liberal MP Andrew Wallace also criticized the government, calling the decision “tone deaf” and urging Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to reconsider, arguing that Lines’ past comments made her an inappropriate choice for such a solemn occasion.

Jewish advocacy groups welcomed confirmation that Lines would not attend, emphasizing the importance of having representatives who reflect respect and understanding of the Holocaust’s lessons. The Executive Council of Australian Jewry voiced concerns that Lines’ past statements on Israel could undermine the integrity of Australia’s delegation to such a significant event.

Lines, a Western Australia senator since 2013, has previously faced criticism for her remarks regarding Israel, particularly her endorsement of an Amnesty International report that accused Israel of apartheid. In a 2022 speech to the Senate, Lines called on the international community to pressure Israel to dismantle what she described as a “cruel system.” She has maintained that her criticism is aimed at Israeli government policies, not Jewish people, but opponents argue that such rhetoric fuels antisemitism and damages Australia’s relations with the Jewish community.

More than 40 nations will be represented at the Auschwitz commemoration, including King Charles III, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. Israel will be represented by Education Minister Yoav Kisch. Holocaust survivor Sir Frank Lowy will travel from Australia to attend the event, underscoring its significance in remembering the atrocities committed by Nazi Germany and honouring the victims.

The controversy surrounding Lines’ exclusion highlights broader tensions within the Australian Labor Party regarding its stance on Israel and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The government’s decision to send Wong and Dreyfus instead aims to ensure the delegation upholds the solemnity of the Auschwitz memorial, which serves as a crucial reminder of the Holocaust’s horrors and the ongoing fight against antisemitism.

Comments

2 Responses to “Australian government confirms Sue Lines will not attend Auschwitz commemoration”
  1. Liat Kirby says:

    Penny Wong should not be attending. She didn’t even bother to visit the kibbutzim sites where Israelis suffered slaughter, torture and kidnapping on October 7. What is wrong with the thinking of all those involved in this kind of decision-making?

  2. Wong not right says:

    And Wong is an ok choice after all she’s done??? Seriously!

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