Extraordinary archival footage has resurfaced showing Prime Minister Antonio Albanês slamming Israel for 'creating a humanitarian crisis in Palestine' during a speech in Parliament more than two decades ago.
A clip of Mr Albanese condemning Israel in a speech to the House of Representatives in 2002 – when he was Labor Opposition spokesman on employment and training services – has been circulating among pro-Palestinian activists during the anniversary of the 7 September terrorist attacks. October.
In the long-forgotten speech, a transcript of which is still published on the PM's website, Mr Albanese addressed the violent acts committed by both sides following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in New York.
But the Labor MP spoke largely of the violence that Israel inflicted on Palestinians and the speech included phrases sympathetic to Palestinians, such as “Palestinians view the Israelis as occupiers”.
Mr Albanese and Foreign Minister Penny Wong have received heavy criticism for the government's stance since the current conflict erupted between Israel and Hamas on October 7, 2023.
Opposition leader Peter Dutton accused the Prime Minister of 'trying to speak out of both sides of his mouth' in Parliament on Tuesday by trying to incorporate tributes to Lebanese and Palestinian victims into a parliamentary motion honoring the victims of the October 7 massacre.
Mr. Albanese's stance on the Israel-Palestine conflict in 2002 appeared to have a significantly more forceful tone than his comments since becoming head of government.
“In the battle for hearts and minds, there is no room for ambiguity when it comes to respect for human rights,” he said.
Anthony Albanese is pictured speaking in the House of Representatives in 2002, when he was a shadow minister
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is pictured in the House of Representatives on Tuesday
Mr. Albanese continued: “The creation of the State of Israel in 1948 and subsequent events have to date produced 3.8 million Palestinian refugees.
'Self-defense is not a blank check and the response to terrorism in no way frees Israel from its obligations under international law, nor does it justify the creation of a humanitarian and human rights crisis in Palestine.'
He condemned Israel for using tanks, armed helicopters and F16 fighters against a population without armed forces and without protective institutions, along with the USA for donating 3 billion dollars to the Jewish State.
“The Israelis continue to demonize all Palestinians as terrorists, the Palestinians view the Israelis as occupiers and employers of cheap labor, interrogators and jailers.”
'It is up to all of us to try to see both sides of this conflict and to exert pressure wherever possible to try to correct the repressive policies of the Israeli government and its military and to oppose extremists on the Palestinian side who engage in terrorism.'
Albanese expressed his support for a two-state solution, where Israelis and Palestinians coexist peacefully – something his government publicly supports 22 years later.
Images of the speech have circulated among pro-Palestinian supporters and Greens officials in recent weeks. One commented online: 'This guy should be prime minister, much better than the guy we have now.'
Another said: 'What happened to that guy?'
A third user wrote: 'PM Albanese has different “western values” now.
The Israel-Palestine conflict has plunged the government into troubled waters and seen it attack from across the spectrum.
In the Labor Party's own ranks, WA Senator Fatima Payman crossed the room on the issue, supporting a Greens motion, before resigning from the Labor Party altogether.
Since then, she has spoken out stridently against the violence inflicted on Palestinians by the Israel Defense Forces and on Wednesday announced her own political party called Australia's Voice.
Meanwhile, Mr Dutton received applause from the crowd giving a speech to Australian Jews to mark the October 7 anniversary in Sydney – while Albanese received boos at a similar event in Melbourne.
Anthony Albanese is pictured, centre, at an event on October 7 in Melbourne on Monday
Some people held signs saying 'Shame on you, Albo' (pictured) and accusing the prime minister of not supporting Israel
On Tuesday, Mr Albanese opened Parliament on Tuesday by presenting a motion to condemn Hamas'October 7th attack on Israelpaying tribute to “every innocent life” in violence.
“Our government has consistently and repeatedly called for a ceasefire for the release of all hostages and the protection of all civilians,” he said.
'We remain committed to a two-state solution as the path to lasting peace, two states, Israel and Palestine, living peacefully side by side with prosperity and security for their people.'
However, in a blunt speech – and a notable break with the bipartisanship around these issues – Mr Dutton refused to support the motion.
Mr Dutton accused Mr Albanese of presenting a motion that also recognized the Palestinians, rather than just focusing on the anniversary of the 1200 Israeli deaths at the hands of terrorists.
He told the House of Representatives that it was clear he could not support the motion on Tuesday morning after meeting with Mr Albanese.
'I think when we look in detail at what the Prime Minister has proposed, it becomes clearer why the Coalition cannot support this motion before the House at this time.
'This government has tried to walk both sides of the street… The Prime Minister should be condemned.'
Dutton said the motion goes beyond what should be a tribute to the 1,200 Israelis who died on October 7.
The prime minister declined to comment when contacted by Daily Mail Australia.
