Opposition leader Peter Dutton has been slammed by Australians on all sides of politics over his ongoing trip to Israel.
The Liberal Party leader shared photos taken with Israeli president Isaac Herzog in Jerusalem early on Monday morning Australian time, saying the pair discussed the “close relationship and shared trust” between the two countries.
“We both expressed our desire for this relationship between our two countries to continue to grow by building on our mutual interests and shared values,” Mr Dutton said.
Thank you to President @Isaac_Herzog for a very friendly and productive meeting today in Jerusalem. pic.twitter.com/RxWxAtiZ1D
— Peter Dutton (@PeterDutton_MP) July 29, 2024
Later on Monday he posted about meeting with the families of Hamas hostages and survivors of the October 7 attacks on Israel, writing: “Their stories of the horrors they experienced and the heartbreak they endure are deeply affecting.
“They have shared their grief and experiences so the world will remember Hamas’ barbaric attack. But beneath their stories is something truly remarkable. A spirit of strength, of solidarity, and of survival. We hope and pray that their loved ones will be returned to them.”
But many Australians objected to the visit, with some accusing Mr Dutton of supporting Israel’s ground and air campaign in Gaza which has left almost 40,000 Palestinians dead, while others asked how the visit benefited Australians.
“We don’t care about Israel,” one popular response on X read.
“Why does an opposition leader (not in power) need to discuss anything with any foreign country? Asking for a friend,” wrote another X user.
A third asked: “Did you tell them to stop committing genocide?”
“Israel through the IDF is slaughtering thousands upon thousands of innocent Palestinian civilians and children! What are your thoughts about this?” asked one of his Facebook followers.
But not all of the responses were negative, with Jewish groups congratulating Mr Dutton on taking the trip.
“Nice to see some leadership in Australia that doesn’t hate Israel, for a change,” wrote the Australian Jewish Association.
And Israel’s Embassy in Australia official X account wrote: “Welcome to Israel, Peter Dutton. Your friendship and support is crucial during these challenging times.”
Another X user said he was glad that Mr Dutton and the Coalition were not pandering to the Muslim vote.
“Despite how ridiculous it is for the Opposition Leader to be freelancing foreign policy, at least Dutton is offering real difference here. Looking forward to him going head to head with a minister whose literal survival hinges on appeasing Muslims,” he wrote, referring to new immigration minister Tony Burke.
Mr Burke was sworn into his new portfolio on Monday, and is under pressure from a new Muslim voting bloc in his multicultural electorate of Watson, which is 25.1% Muslim and just 45% Australian-born, according to the 2021 Census.
The political group The Muslim Vote has promised to target Labor MPs in seats with large Islamic populations.
