Australian Senator Criticizes PM for Meeting Trump, Citing 'Genocide'

Australian Greens senator Mehreen Faruqi has sharply criticized Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for taking photographs with former U.S. President Donald Trump, whom she described as an "active participant in genocide." The comments were made during a heated Senate session where Faruqi and independent senator Lidia Thorpe attempted to force a debate on the conflict in Gaza.

Faruqi accused the Albanese government of failing to adequately address the situation in Gaza, stating, "Three years of Israel's genocide in Gaza, three years of mass murder of Palestinians, three years of killing more than 21,000 Palestinian children." She asserted that the government has not labeled these actions as atrocities and war crimes, including genocide.

During her remarks on the Senate floor, Faruqi also targeted Albanese directly, claiming the Labor government has historically tried to silence critics of Israel instead of taking action. "Watching him take selfies with one of the active participants of this genocide," she said, referring to Trump. "Our government chooses to cosy up with Trump, who is a warmonger whose barbaric ideas include threats to annihilate Iran."

Liberal senator Andrew Bragg was heard in response, seemingly mocking Faruqi's comments about Iran. "Excellent government in that country," he remarked, referencing Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which is designated as a terrorist organization in Australia and has been linked by Australian authorities to past firebomb attacks.

Faruqi further labeled Trump a "sadistic con artist" and urged the government to officially recognize the events as genocide. She called for the expulsion of Israel's ambassador, sanctions against Israel, and an end to the bilateral arms trade.

Following Faruqi's speech, Senator Thorpe also sought to suspend standing orders, accusing the Albanese government of being "actively complicit" in genocide. Thorpe stated that three years of "relentless, intentional killing, destruction and displacement" had occurred, alleging that Israel uses starvation as a tool for genocide. She contended that Australia is failing to meet its international obligations and accused the government of supplying weapons to Israel.

Both senators' motions to suspend standing orders were ultimately defeated, with votes against them from the Labor party, the Coalition, and One Nation.