Labor was warned its perceived ‘one-sided’ Israel support over Gaza raised social cohesion concerns

Exclusive: Department told minister in November 2023 Palestinian and Muslim communities were extremely angry, hurt and betrayed'

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The home affairs department warned the government as early as November 2023 that its perceived one-sidedness in support of Israel during the Gaza conflict left Palestinian and Muslim Australians feeling extremely angry" and betrayed" , as well as concerned about social cohesion, documents reveal.

A November 2023 briefing document to the then immigration minister, Andrew Giles, was obtained by Guardian Australia under freedom of information laws. It discussed social cohesion measures", including a $25m package announced in October 2023 to strengthen resilience and improve support to Australian Palestinian, Muslim and other communities in Australia after the 7 October Hamas attack on Israel and the subsequent war waged by Israel in Gaza. A total of $52.8m had been approved for social cohesion measures relating to the conflict, according to the document.

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