A Labor Senator Switches Sides to Support Palestine
Senator Fatima Payman’s future in Labor is uncertain after aligning with the Greens, raising questions about her party loyalty.
Breaking ranks with Labor, Senator Payman sided with the Greens in a historic move to support declaring a Palestinian state, making her the first Labor member to cross the floor since 2005.
Citing former Labor prime minister Bob Hawke’s support for recognizing a Palestinian state, Senator Payman emphasized the importance of being true to the party’s values and legacy.
Although Labor members are expected to adhere to the party’s position, there are no specific penalties for crossing the floor, leaving doubts about Senator Payman’s standing within the party.
This move has sparked speculation about her potential expulsion from Labor, with the decision ultimately resting with the caucus and the national executive.
Minister Clare O’Neil stressed the need for a process to determine Senator Payman’s future in the party, while Liberal senator Simon Birmingham deemed it a challenge to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s leadership.
Senator Jane Hume criticized the move as indicative of weak leadership within the party, questioning how the prime minister would handle the situation.
While the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils praised Senator Payman’s decision, Jewish groups, like the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, expressed opposition to the move, highlighting concerns about Palestinian statehood without addressing the issue of Hamas.
Greens senator Mehreen Farqui commended Senator Payman for her “real moral courage” in supporting the motion to recognize a Palestinian state.
Senator Payman had previously criticized Australian leaders for their handling of the Israel-Hamas conflict, accusing them of prioritizing performative gestures over advocating for justice.
Her remarks came in the aftermath of the war triggered by Hamas’s aggression against Israel, resulting in casualties on both sides and ongoing tensions in the region.
