Australia: Muslim Senator Payman Suspended by Labor Party Over Palestine Recognition Support
ABC News Australia reported that the controversy erupted following Senator Payman's endorsement of the Palestinian recognition efforts on June 25, leading to internal discord within the Labor Party.
Subsequently, the party leadership, under Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, announced the suspension of Senator Payman's privileges within the party's caucus.
In a statement to the press, Senator Payman expressed that her decision to support the motion was profoundly challenging.
"Each step I took across the Senate floor felt like a mile, [but] I know I did not walk these steps by myself, and I know I did not walk them alone," she said.
“I’ve walked with the West Australians who have stopped me in the streets and told me not to give up. I’ve walked with the rank-and-file Labor Party members who told me we must do more. I’ve worked with the core values of the Labor Party – equality, justice, fairness and advocacy for the voiceless and the oppressed.”
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The Senate, however, rejected the Green Party's proposal to recognize Palestine for the second time on the same day.
Senator Payman, who made history in 2022 as the first hijab-wearing senator in Australia, stood as the sole Labor Party member in favor of the recognition of Palestine. This act of defiance led to her suspension from the party's meetings starting in July.
The Labor Party maintains a policy requiring its members to adhere to collective decisions. Failure to do so may result in expulsion from the party.
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Meanwhile, growing number of states are recognizing the Palestinian State as a solution to end the Israeli genocide in Gaza.
Last month, Spain, Ireland and Norway formally recognized the Palestinian state, joining over 140 UN member states that have recognized its statehood over the past four decades.
Source: Agencies
