Chris Minns warns against use of antisemitic tropes after Greens MP apologises for Jewish lobby comments

Jenny Leong says she didn't intend to reference cartoon depicting Jews as an octopus during a pro-Palestine forum in December

• Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates
• Get our morning and afternoon news emails, free app or daily news podcast

The New South Wales premier, Chris Minns, has warned parliamentarians about sowing division in the community after a Greens MP apologised for referring to the tentacles" of the Jewish lobby" and its influence across Australia.

The Newtown MP Jenny Leong said she did not intend to reference an antisemitic cartoon depicting Jews as an octopus when she made the comments at the Palestine Justice Movement forum in Sydney in December, where the boycott movement against Israel was being discussed.

Sign up for Guardian Australia's free morning and afternoon email newsletters for your daily news roundup