Jewish communal organisations have warned the ALP against weakening its Middle East policy after reports the party’s draft national platform drops explicit calls for Hamas to disarm, Palestinian Authority reform and guarantees of Israel’s security.
The ALP will hold its 50th National Conference in Adelaide from July 23 to 25, where more than 2,000 delegates will debate and vote on the platform ahead of the next federal election.
According to The Australian, the latest draft condemns terrorism by Hamas and other extremists but removes earlier explicit demands for Hamas to disarm, the Palestinian Authority to reform and Israel’s security to be guaranteed.
The Australia/Israel and Jewish Affairs Council said the reported changes marked a significant departure from Australia’s longstanding bipartisan approach.
AIJAC executive director Colin Rubenstein said the organisation was “deeply concerned”.
“These changes demonstrate how far the ALP is departing from Australia’s traditional bipartisan support for a negotiated two-state resolution,” Dr Rubenstein said.
He said Hamas disarmament and Palestinian Authority reform were central conditions cited by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese when Australia recognised a Palestinian state last year.
“Without them, any nominal verbal support for a two-state resolution becomes effectively meaningless,” Dr Rubenstein said.
AIJAC added that the Palestinian Authority remained corrupt, funded “Pay-for-Slay terror salaries” and could not assert authority in parts of the West Bank.
The Zionist Federation of Australia also expressed concern, while noting the platform had not been finalised.
In a statement on X, the ZFA said it had not seen any final text.
“We do not propose to respond to speculation about an internal draft and will assess the final platform if and when it is adopted,” the statement said.
It said that if the ALP omitted or diluted the commitments the government relied upon to justify recognition, it “would compound that mistake”.
“It would send the wrong message to Hamas, the Palestinian Authority and those who understand that a genuine two-state outcome requires reform, demilitarisation, recognition of Israel and an end to terror,” the ZFA said.
The debate follows the Albanese government’s recognition of a Palestinian state last year, which it linked to Palestinian Authority reforms and an end to any Hamas role in future governance. The move was criticised by Israel and sections of the Australian Jewish community.
A spokesperson for Foreign Minister Penny Wong told The Australian the government “unequivocally condemns Hamas” and remained clear that “there can be no role for Hamas in a Palestinian state”.