A defiant Adam Bandt has rejected the alleged “smear” directed at Australia’s pro-Palestinian movement and the Green Party, telling protesters that “we will prevail”.
It follows a powerful week in federal parliament in which both Labor and the Coalition accused the Greens of stirring up social division over the war between Israel and Gaza.
Speaking to rally-goers in Melbourne on Sunday, the Greens leader praised protesters for turning out for “35 weeks” in major cities and criticized suggestions the movement was anything other than “peaceful”.
“Let me say this, not for your benefit because you already know this, but for your benefit, for all those who have been smearing this peace movement,” he said.
‘We all know that there is no place for violence against people, against politicians, against the people who work for them or against their offices.
‘We all know that. What we are pushing for is peace.
‘Peace here and peace in Gaza. Peace for the Israelis and for the Palestinians. That’s what we’re pushing for.”
Greens leader Adam Bandt took aim at Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton, who accused the Greens of causing division over the Israel-Gaza conflict.
Pro-Palestinian protesters in Melbourne on Sunday afternoon
During question time last Wednesday, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese criticized the Greens for what he called “misinformation” about the Israel-Gaza conflict.
“It is unacceptable that some Green senators and MPs knowingly and deliberately spread misinformation, who have participated in demonstrations in front of offices and online,” said the Prime Minister.
‘That includes deliberately misrepresenting motions that are tabled in this parliament.
‘Enough is enough.’
He was backed by the opposition leader, Peter Dutton.
MPs’ electoral offices have been vandalized with pro-Palestinian slogans in recent weeks, including graffiti accusing members of complicity in alleged “genocide.”
Dutton called the Greens “evil” on radio station 2GB on Thursday.
Peter Dutton and Anthony Albanese showed rare unity in criticizing the Greens this week.
Bandt did not apologize for his positions on Sunday and reiterated his call for the Labor government to increase diplomatic pressure on the Jewish state.
“I think people need to have a conversation with their children and their grandchildren, with their next-door neighbors, about how evil the current Green Party is, that they don’t care about the environment,” he said.
“These are radical causes.”
But Bandt did not apologize for his positions on Sunday and reiterated his call for the Labor government to increase diplomatic pressure on the Jewish state.
He called on the government to expel Israel’s ambassador to Australia, sanction Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and cancel any military trade with Israel.
Bandt also said that pressure within parliament was “increasing” and that the pro-Palestinian movement was “growing in strength.”
“When they first ignore you, after ridiculing you, and then turn on you and try to fight you by slandering you… you know they know they’re wrong,” he said.
The rally attended by hundreds of people outside the State Library of Victoria was organized by Free Palestine Melbourne.
‘And this is the last step before they admit they are wrong and act.
‘Because I can tell you, from inside that building, the pressure is building.
‘This peaceful and powerful movement to end the invasion and occupation… is gaining strength.
“We will prevail.”
Free Palestine Melbourne hosted the rally, which was held at the State Library.
The protesters chanted ‘1,2,3,4… we don’t want your bloody war, and 5,6,7,8… Israel is a terrorist state.’
They also chanted: ‘Albo, Albo, shame, shame… you don’t speak in our name.’