Albanese Requests Conversation with Netanyahu, Describes Pro-Palestinian Rally as 'Peaceful'

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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is seeking to speak directly with his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu in the coming days, when he would reiterate his support for a two-state solution.

SBS News understands the request for a phone call from Albanese to Netanyahu has been formally made to Israel’s government through diplomatic channels. So far, a date has not been set.

Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Matt Thistlethwaite confirmed to Sky News that a call with Netanyahu was “being pursued” on Monday.

Speaking at a later press conference, Albanese said Netanyahu has “made comments that are certainly not consistent with a two-state solution”, adding the government has been “critical” of some of Israel’s actions in Gaza.

“My message will be the same privately, as it has been in the past, as the public message,” Albanese said.

“Privately, I have said to Prime Minister Netanyahu before, as I have said publicly for a long period of time, that I am a supporter of a two-state solution and there can’t be peace and security in the Middle East without there being an advance on that two-state solution.”

The government has stated its intention to recognise Palestinian statehood but has laid out several preconditions, including the demilitarisation of Hamas, before committing.

Facing questions about the timeline, Albanese reiterated his government would announce the move when it would make maximum impact and “advance the objective of the creation of two states”.

‘Yesterday’s march was peaceful’

Police estimate about 90,000 people turned out in Sydney for Sunday’s rally to spotlight what the UN has described as “worsening famine conditions” in Gaza, after a police order to prohibit the event was rejected by the NSW Supreme Court. Protesters also gathered in Melbourne and Adelaide.

High-profile participants at the Sydney protest included WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, former Socceroos captain Craig Foster and former foreign affairs minister and NSW premier Bob Carr.

Protesters rally with a sign across the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Protesters walk across the Sydney Harbour Bridge during the pro-Palestinian rally in Sydney. Source: AAP / Dean Lewins

Albanese described the Sydney march as “peaceful,” saying he was not surprised that “so many Australians have been affected” and wanted to show their concern for people “being deprived of food and water, and essential services”.

“In a democracy, it’s a good thing that people peacefully express their views,” he said.

“Yesterday’s march was peaceful, and an opportunity for people to express their concern about what is happening in Gaza, and the images that we’ve seen.”

‘A wake-up call for Australian politics’

Husic, a federal Labor MP, said the march sent a strong message to politicians.

“Just as some underestimated the amount of people that would turn up on the bridge, I think Australian politics has underestimated how strongly Australians feel about this issue,” he told ABC radio on Monday.

“This is a moment — a wake-up call — for Australian politics.

“There was a lot of middle Australia there and that’s something that can’t be ignored.”

When asked about Husic’s comments, Albanese said: “I think Australians do feel strongly about this issue.”

“What’s important is that we recognise as well that Australians don’t want conflict brought here, they understand that Australia isn’t a participant in the process, and that that’s important as well.”

“Ultimately, my job is to be on the side of public safety and ensuring people live, work and protest and enjoy a city as big as Sydney,” he told reporters.

“We can’t just knock out the bridge every weekend. There can be a demonstration every weekend … no-one should assume it’s open season on the bridge.”

Australia pledges extra $20m in aid for Gaza

The federal government has also announced an additional $20 million in aid to humanitarian organisations in Gaza.

The additional funding seeks to support organisations that have “the scale and capacity to respond quickly to deliver food, medical supplies for field hospitals and other lifesaving support to women and children in Gaza,” a statement read.

It said the government had now committed over $130 million in humanitarian assistance to civilians in Gaza and Lebanon since 7 October 2023.

The Gaza health ministry said on Sunday six more people had died of starvation and malnutrition in the past 24 hours, raising the toll of those dying of such causes to 175, including 93 children, since the conflict escalated.

In response to a rising international outcry, Israel announced steps last week to let more aid reach the population, including pausing fighting for part of the day in some areas, approving airdrops and announcing protected routes for aid convoys.

UN agencies have said airdrops of food are insufficient and that Israel must let in far more aid by land and open up access to the war-devastated territory where starvation has been spreading.

Upon announcing the $20 million support package, International Development Minister Anne Aly said humanitarian organisations “must be allowed to do their vital work and deliver aid at scale”.

“We continue to call on Israel to allow immediate and unimpeded aid access into Gaza,” she said.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong said her government had “consistently been part of the international call on Israel to allow a full and immediate resumption of aid to Gaza, in line with the binding orders of the International Court of Justice”.

“Australia will continue to work with the international community to call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, the release of hostages and a two-state solution — the only path to enduring peace and security for the Israeli and Palestinian peoples.”

— With additional reporting from Reuters and the Australian Associated Press