SYDNEY: Protesters scaled Australia’s national parliament on Thursday, unfurling banners reading “Palestine will be free”, and accusing Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of complicity in the Gaza war. The small protest follows recent divisions within the Labor government, which suspended a Muslim senator who crossed the floor to vote in favor of Australia recognizing a Palestinian state.

Senator Fatima Payman said she had been “exiled” after supporting the parliamentary motion — put forward by the Greens party — in defiance of government policy. Like many of its Western allies, Australia does not recognize a Palestinian state. Canberra has expressed its support for an eventual two-state solution.

Protest group Renegade Activists told Australian media they would “not forget” and “not forgive” Albanese, accusing him of complicity in the Gaza Strip’s bloodiest-ever war. Clad in black and wearing traditional Palestinian keffiyeh scarves, the small group of protesters climbed the facade at the entrance to Australia’s parliament before rolling out several large black-and-white banners. —AFP

Opposition senator James Paterson said it was a “serious breach of the parliament’s security”. The public entrance to Australia’s parliament was briefly locked down on Thursday after a separate group of climate activists glued themselves to pillars in the lobby. – AFP