Labor MPs slam Israel

Multicultural NSW CEO Joseph La Posta said this week he had not watched a full parliamentary speech delivered last week by Lakemba MP Jihad Dib before clicking on the “care” button on Facebook.

The speech last Wednesday focused on the humanitarian situation in Gaza as its inhabitants observe the Muslim fast of Ramadan.

But seemingly downplaying the serious spike in antisemitism in Australia since October 7, Dib said, “We see examples of people being condemned and accused of antisemitism for supporting human rights and challenging the Israeli government’s actions in Gaza.”

Dib, who is a senior minister in the state government, also accused the IDF of having “a clear objective to flatten Gaza”, calling it “an army without any regard for the international rules of war” and called for an immediate ceasefire. The speech did not mention Hamas or the 134 Israeli hostages still being held.

Queried by The AJN about clicking the “care” button on a video of the speech, La Posta said, “When I first saw his post about Ramadan, I shared a ‘care’ emoji to offer support for an individual who I know is hurting during a difficult time for many people.

“Until today, I had not watched the full video clip so wasn’t aware of the entire speech. Having now watched the full clip, some of the comments the minister made do not reflect my personal views.”

NSW Jewish Board of Deputies president David Ossip said on Tuesday, “We welcome and accept Mr La Posta’s explanation. In word and in deed, he has proven himself to be a wonderful friend of the Jewish community over many years.”

Another incendiary speech was made in the NSW Parliament last week by Upper House Labor MP Anthony D’Adam, who declared, “I genuinely believe that what is occurring in Gaza is a genocide.

“To fail to speak up against this is to fail a basic moral test – a test that the Opposition and, to its shame, my own government has failed,” D’Adam said.

Premier Chris Minns has previously told budget estimates, “I have made it really clear to the public that I don’t agree with [D’Adam’s] views … I think they’re inflammatory and not conducive to community cohesion.”