A Palestinian community leader says that Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is the “best friend of Palestine” to ever hold Australia’s top job.
Nasser Mashni, president of the Australian Palestine Advocacy Network, told ABC News Breakfast that the Palestinian community “has never felt like they belong less in this country”.
“We have had almost a year, 365 days, of language from our media, from our Governments, from elected representatives that have made us feel like we don’t belong,” Mashni said.
Nasser Mashni, president of the Australia Palestine Advocacy Network.Credit: Justin McManus
Mashni directly criticised Opposition Leader Peter Dutton’s rhetoric over the past week. Dutton called for those carrying Hezbollah symbols at pro-Palestinian protests on Sunday to be deported or charged.
“The most recent manifestation is our alternative prime minister saying, in anti-Palestinian racism par excellence, to cancel our visas as if we’re not Australians.”
Mashni praised Albanese, saying that while conversations with the government were not where he wanted them to be, that the PM was “doing his best”.
“[The conversations are] not where we want them, of course nowhere where we want them, but Anthony Albanese is the best friend Palestine’s ever had in The Lodge,” Mashni said.
“The bar is very low. And he is doing, I think, his best. Still not anywhere near enough.”
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