Israeli Embassy Criticizes Labor Party’s Draft Platform on Israel-Gaza Conflict

On Monday, July 20 2026, the Israeli embassy in Canberra issued a four-page statement objecting to several passages in the Australian Labor Party’s draft policy platform slated for debate at the party’s national conference in Adelaide. The embassy argued that the draft “risk[s] 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 also claimed the platform gave “disproportionate attention” to settler violence in the West Bank.

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The 2026 draft marks a substantial shift from the 2023 platform, which contained only three lines on Israel and Palestine and focused on recognition of a Palestinian state—a policy adopted by the Albanese government in August 2023. The new draft expands to condemn “annexation of Palestinian territory,” calls for an end to “illegal settlement activity and the occupation,” and references the International Court of Justice advisory opinion on Israel’s policies in the occupied territories. The changes follow the October 7 2023 Hamas attack and Israel’s subsequent war in Gaza, prompting heightened debate within Labor’s pro-Palestine and pro-Israel factions.

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The embassy’s statement emphasized continued diplomatic engagement, noting the motions are “still in draft form.” It urged parties to frame policies around “the conditions that history demonstrates are essential for lasting peace.” Labor’s minister for multicultural affairs, Anne Aly, responded to media queries with, “You know, they will do what they feel is right.” Foreign affairs minister Penny Wong declined to comment.

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Labor members anticipating the conference expect vigorous contestation of the language, with pro-Palestinian delegates likely to push back against the embassy’s accusations of bias. Observers note that the embassy’s direct involvement in a domestic party process is unusual and may inflame internal party tensions.

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• “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,” — Israeli Embassy, Canberra

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• “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.” — Israeli Embassy, Canberra

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• “In the media statement, the Israeli embassy said settler violence – which it described as a “reprehensible but marginal phenomenon” – was given “disproportionate attention”.” — Israeli Embassy, Canberra

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• “You know, they will do what they feel is right,” — Anne Aly, Minister for Multicultural Affairs

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• “Labor opposes the annexation of Palestinian territory and wants Israel to bring its illegal settlement activity and the occupation to an end” — Draft Labor Platform, 2026

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