Israel criticises Labor’s draft Palestine policy in rare foreign intervention ahead of party conference

Israel has made an intervention into the Labor party’s internal processes, publicly criticising a draft policy platform that it claims risks blaming Israel for the Gaza conflict while giving “insufficient attention” to the role of Hamas.

The Israeli embassy in Canberra issued a four-page statement on Monday challenging the proposed positions on Palestine, Hamas and settler violence in the West Bank, due to be debated at this week’s Labor national conference.

“The Embassy of Israel notes these policy motions are still in draft form, and will continue to engage constructively with the Australian Labor Party through the usual diplomatic channels,” the statement read. “However, the embassy respectfully submits that several elements of the draft platform risk placing responsibility for the conflict on one party while giving insufficient attention to the decisions, conduct and continuing obligations of the Palestinian leadership and terrorist organisations such as Hamas.”

It is unusual for a foreign state to involve itself in a domestic internal political matter such as a party conference, further exposing the tension between Labor and the Israeli government. The Albanese government has been consistent in condemning settler violence in the West Bank, last month joining with other western nations to impose new sanctions on perpetrators.

The minister for multicultural affairs, Anne Aly, appeared unfazed when asked about the embassy’s intervention. “You know, they will do what they feel is right,” she told ABC Afternoon Briefing.

The language in the platform is set to be contested with Labor’s pro-Palestine and pro-Israel contingents likely to push for changes on the conference floor. The foreign affairs minister, Penny Wong, declined to comment.