The Australian of the Year award winner has come under fire for referring to members of the Hamas terrorist organisation as “freedom fighters”.
Betul Tuna, who has been an outspoken advocate for Palestine and wore a headscarf inspired by the Palestinian keffiyeh to accept her “Local Hero” award, shared the disturbing content earlier this week.
In her controversial post, Ms Tuna said that “those whom the colonisers label as terrorists, historians will declare as freedom fighters.”
Ms Tuna described herself as a “changemaker, activist, advocate and intersectional feminist” and works for the Victorian Government in the area of child protection.
He received his Local Hero Award in recognition of his “deep commitment to humanitarian and community causes.”
His comments on Hamas followed the death of Ismail Haniyeh, the group’s former leader who was assassinated in Iran on July 31.
Ms Tuna’s post was described as “appalling” and “divisive” but just days later she appeared in an advertisement promoting the National Australia Day Council’s (NADC) Australian of the Year awards.
The announcement was also echoed by the Department of Premier and Cabinet, which urged Victorians to “recognise someone in their community who is helping Victorians”.
Betul Tuna (pictured) called members of Hamas, a terrorist organization, “freedom fighters”
Ms Tuna was awarded the Australian of the Year ‘Local Hero’ award (pictured, Ms Tuna accepts the award from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese)
However, this is not the first time that the NADC has overlooked Ms. Tuna’s support for Palestine. Herald of the Sun reported.
The activist has shared several anti-Israel posts since the Hamas massacre on October 7 and the subsequent war in Gaza, which has caused a humanitarian crisis.
Ms Tuna also recently shared photos of a protester wearing a sweater with the words ‘Intifada Revolution’ at a demonstration in central Melbourne.
The phrase calls for a violent uprising against Israel. Two intifadas in the past have resulted in the deaths of thousands of Palestinians.
Alex Ryvchin, co-chief executive of the Executive Council of Australian Judaism, called for the NADC to refocus its awards on “leadership and virtuous behaviour” rather than honouring those who “incite and divide”.
Ms Tuna (pictured) described herself as a “changemaker, activist, advocate and intersectional feminist” and works for the Victorian Government in child protection.
“Ms. Tuna’s comments on terrorism and her support for violent uprisings show that she has wholeheartedly swallowed the superficial propaganda of the anti-Israel movement,” he said.
“If Ms Tuna is willing to meet with Australian Jews, including victims of Palestinian terrorism, to better understand why her words are so appalling and painful, we would be happy to facilitate that.”
Responding to criticism of Ms Tuna in light of her recent announcement, the NADC said: ‘The nominations for the Australian of the Year – Local Hero award recognise individuals who have made a significant contribution at a local community level.
‘Recipients are selected by an independent committee from a list of nominations submitted by the Victorian community.’