Zoe Daniel: Looking for common ground
The Independent MP rejected suggestions she has aligned with the Greens on Middle East policy.
Independent MP for Goldstein Zoe Daniel said her ongoing work with the Jewish community since October 7 has been “quite possibly the biggest part of my community work” during this period.
She emphasised her awareness of “justifiably heightened anxiety, concern and to some degree, tension within the community” following the Hamas attacks, detailing specific policy achievements including expedited safety grants for Jewish organisations, antisemitism legislation, and the appointment of an antisemitism envoy.
“It’s not as if antisemitism in our community began on October 7, 2023,” Daniel noted.
“There has been a huge increase statistically since that time, but I know that people in the community have experienced antisemitism ongoingly.”
When questioned about her position on Israel, Daniel stated: “I support a Jewish homeland in the State of Israel. I also support a negotiated two-state solution and safety and security for Israelis and Palestinians.”
The Independent MP rejected suggestions she has aligned with the Greens on Middle East policy, calling their approach “absolutely outrageous” and accusing them of “irresponsible grandstanding on the situation in Gaza for political purposes”.
She insists that Liberal Party claims that she and other teal independents voted with the Greens 80 per cent of the time were misleading, as many of those votes were on procedural matters in Parliament.
Daniel was equally critical of the Coalition, claiming they have “weaponised” the Israel issue.
“To be utilising division for partisan political purposes, I think is disgraceful,” she said, arguing that such approaches risk damaging Australia’s social cohesion.
Acknowledging the diversity of views within the Jewish community, Daniel noted that while concern about antisemitism is universal, attitudes toward “the Netanyahu government, the humanitarian situation in Gaza, the potential solutions and my position are quite variable”.
On the possibility of a hung parliament after the next election, Daniel did not commit to either major party, citing numerous variables including international developments and policy positions.
Reflecting on perceptions of her stance, Daniel drew on her experience as a foreign correspondent. “People will have different viewpoints of the same situation, and often all of those viewpoints have some merit,” she said.
Daniel concluded by expressing openness to dialogue. “I’m really happy to have a conversation with anyone, even if we think our views might be polarised … often there’s common ground at the end of it.”
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