Australian Prime Minister Rejects Opposition’s Call to Ban Palestinian Refugees.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Sunday dismissed calls from the opposition to ban Palestinians fleeing Gaza from entering Australia, labeling the proposal as an attempt to “whip up fear,” according to Anadolu Agency.
Opposition leader Peter Dutton had urged a halt to migration from Gaza, claiming that allowing people from the war-torn region into Australia posed a “national security risk.”
Albanese, who had previously criticized Dutton’s stance, reiterated that such rhetoric was divisive at a time when security officials were advocating for “social cohesion,” reported local broadcaster SBS News.
“What does Peter Dutton do? He doesn’t address issues that matter to Australians; instead, he tries to whip up fear,” Albanese said to reporters in Sydney.
He emphasized that, “the borders are currently closed, particularly through the Rafah crossing.”
According to the Department of Home Affairs, approximately 2,922 visas have been approved for Palestinians fleeing the conflict, with 1,300 individuals arriving safely in Australia. However, the data also showed that 7,100 visa applications from Palestinian territories had been rejected.
Dutton, on Sunday, reiterated his call for a visa ban until security vetting processes could be “guaranteed.”
“We cannot tell who’s who without thorough background checks,” he argued in an opinion piece published the same day.
Dutton’s comments have drawn criticism from members of the Labor Party, the Greens, various crossbenchers, and Palestinian advocacy groups.
Israel has faced international condemnation for continuing its military offensive on Gaza, despite a UN Security Council resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire. The conflict, which began after an Oct. 7 attack last year by the Palestinian resistance group Hamas, has resulted in the deaths of nearly 40,100 people, predominantly women and children, and has left over 92,500 injured, according to local health authorities.
More than 10 months into the conflict, large areas of Gaza have been devastated, with the population suffering from a severe blockade that has restricted access to food, clean water, and medicine.
Israel is currently facing accusations of genocide at the International Court of Justice, which has ordered an immediate halt to its military operations.