New Labor MP Basem Abdo outlines his plans to advocate for Palestinian statehood

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Newly-elected MP Basem Abdo says recognising a Palestinian state is more than symbolic, promising to take the fight up with his party room.

The government is facing pressure to follow France’s commitment to recognise a Palestinian state at the upcoming United Nations conference, with former cabinet member Ed Husic calling for immediate recognition.

On Sunday, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the demilitarisation of Hamas — the political and military group that rules Gaza — was one of several preconditions for Australia to recognise statehood, and it would not happen “imminently”.

In an exclusive interview with SBS News before Tuesday’s caucus meeting, Abdo, who represents the seat of Calwell in Melbourne’s north-west, said he would use his role as a backbencher to advocate for a Palestinian state alongside other issues.

“My position on this is very clear. I support the recognition of a Palestinian state,” Abdo said.

However, he stopped short of weighing in on whether September’s United Nations General Assembly was the right time to do so.

“The conversations around this and my push and my advocacy on the timing will be had in caucus,” Abdo clarified.

Backbenchers typically advocate for issues during the private party meetings and behind closed doors, joining committees to prosecute matters further.

Meanwhile, frontbenchers or cabinet members tend to make more public remarks on issues, although they are expected to maintain the party line.

Asked whether he would advocate for the electorate of Calwell, even when uncomfortable, he said: “I’ve always spoken up even if it’s uncomfortable.”

Albanese reiterated his support for a two-state solution, referencing a quote from South African anti-apartheid campaigner Nelson Mandela: “It always seems impossible until it’s done.”

Palestinian statehood ‘a right’

In question time on Monday, Albanese said he wants Australia to recognise Palestinian statehood when it is “more than a gesture”.

Abdo, whose parents left the occupied West Bank in 1967, said the significance would be more than symbolic to Palestinian communities.

“It’s the right to self-determination. I would view it as a right, not as just symbolism,” he told SBS News.

Labor member for Calwell Basem Abdo and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese shake hands

Basem Abdo was a staff member for former Labor member Maria Vamvakinou before successfully running for election in her seat. Source: AAP / Mick Tsikas

Abdo, who has himself visited the West Bank, wants his colleagues to understand the “human element” of war.

“When we turn off our television screens, those things are still happening,” he said.

“And it’s incumbent on all of us to consider that and to consider the long-term view of things when we’re trying to reshape things.”

Abdo’s remarks come after he delivered his maiden speech on Monday, during which he spoke of his first-hand experience of war.

His family left Kuwait for Jordan when the first Gulf War broke out in 1990.

“In those early days of the assault, there were clashes in our neighbourhood, and you could feel the buildings shake.”

“I also remember the brown gaffer tape that lined the windows of homes in Jordan and was meant to protect us from a non-conventional attack… the tape wasn’t much protection, but using it was a ritual that made people feel a little less powerless.”

He spoke of his mother’s death happening just two weeks before his son’s birth, during his election campaign.

Abdo later told SBS News he had visited the West Bank in 2011.

“I was confronted by how overarching the occupation is, how it impacts the daily lives in all aspects for the Palestinian people there.”

“When we turn off our television screens, those things are still happening. And it’s incumbent on all of us to consider that and to consider the long term view of things when we’re trying to reshape things.”