While a ceasefire in Gaza offers hope for peace and a reduction in tensions, it is unlikely to quell the heated political debate in Australia surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The agreement, though positive in its immediate aims, does not address the underlying issues that fuel the animosity and division within Australian society.
The prospect of a ceasefire in Gaza should, by rights, calm the immense pressures that have led to a long and debilitating argument in Australia about peace in the Middle East and the right of Israel to defend itself. It should, by rights, bring an end to the ugly displays of antisemitism being witnessed on Australian streets.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says he hopes the agreement can “lower the temperature” in the community, while Opposition Leader Peter Dutton also welcomes the ceasefire. The political tensions, however, are bound to resurface.
Nothing in the ceasefire is at odds with anything the Australian government has argued in the 15 months since Hamas slaughtered civilians in the October 7 attacks. The agreement is broadly in line with what Albanese has said over many months: Hamas must release the hostages, Israel should avoid civilian casualties and the humanitarian catastrophe should end.
Not that the facts matter when there is a political attack to be run. Dutton will continue to accuse Albanese of deserting Israel. And he will continue to blame Albanese for all antisemitism, no matter where it flares. That much is clear from his rhetorical leap last week, when he blamed Albanese for the way pro-Palestinian protesters chanted against Jewish Australians at the Sydney Opera House on October 9, 2023, just days after the Hamas attack.
International Relations CEASEFIRE ISRAEL PALESTINE AUSTRALIA POLITICS ANTIMISEMITISM
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