The political establishment isn’t backing the Palestinians

Yet, the co-organiser of the Australia Palestine Advocacy Network couldn’t secure her endorsement, let alone a signature. Reached on Tuesday morning, Aly said: “As a member of the executive I am unable to sign petitions. This does not mean that I am not passionate about the plight of the Palestinian people and committed to peace in the region that I am culturally and linguistically connected to.”

Aly is probably referring to cabinet solidarity principles, whereby ministers are expected to toe the party line, or resign if they feel compelled to break from the government’s position on contentious issues.

Sanctions demands

The lack of Labor signatories looks like a sign of institutional support for Israel in the upper political echelons, even as western Sydney ministers such as Tony Burke, Ed Husic and Chris Bowen signal to Muslim constituents anger over death and devastation in Gaza.

Australian Palestinians do not help themselves with extreme demands. They haven’t excused the murderous Hamas rampage of October 7 – an event the petition acknowledged – but their expectations aren’t within the bounds of diplomatic reality for a Western democracy either. They include the imposition of sanctions on Israeli political, military and media figures to punish the “genocidal regime”.

As for the Jewish lobby – a term its members resist for historical reasons – it seemed pleased with the petition’s thin response. Does anyone remember Brian Howe or Ian Macphee? Who cares about the positions of four assistant ministers in the NSW Labor government when the Premier, Chris Minns, promises to prosecute young men who chant “gas the Jews”?

“I thought the outcome might be worse,” said one Jewish leader, who didn’t want to go on the record because he thought it would give the petition more publicity.

In PR terms, it was effective, though. The Sydney Morning Herald, given a copy, published it on Tuesday’s front page despite the limited sign-up. Another pro-Palestinian petition, for journalists, obtained 334 signatures, including some from The Australian Financial Review, and sparked an industry debate about how to cover people and governments we dislike.

Which side?

Australians are split. Forty per cent want the Israeli army to withdraw from Gaza immediately; 33 per cent don’t, according to a Roy Morgan poll last month.

At the same time, about half say Australia shouldn’t take sides, which might help explain why the Labor government is simultaneously supporting Israel while criticising it.

Last week, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese issued a statement with his Canadian and New Zealand counterparts on the war. They didn’t call for an unconditional ceasefire, which would allow Hamas to strengthen its defences. The Israeli lobby was pleased.

A few hours later, Australia voted for an “immediate humanitarian ceasefire” in the United Nations General Assembly, which delighted the Palestinians.

Work that out. Many can’t. Which may be the objective.