Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has proposed re-screening Palestinians from Gaza as part of a broader immigration policy overhaul. This controversial stance, rooted in security concerns, comes amid rising tensions over the conflict in Gaza and Australia’s approach to refugees and migrants. Dutton also reaffirmed the Coalition’s intention to recognize West Jerusalem as Israel’s capital if elected in the upcoming federal election.
Re-screening Palestinians: Dutton’s Security Concerns
Peter Dutton announced on Wednesday that a Coalition government would reassess the security clearances of Palestinians who have arrived from Gaza. This plan aims to address concerns over the vetting process for individuals fleeing the war-torn region. Dutton has previously argued that Palestinians leaving Gaza should face increased scrutiny to prevent any links to terrorist organizations, such as Hamas. This position has been criticized by Palestinian advocacy groups, with some calling it “racist politicking.”
“We welcome migrants coming to our country,” Dutton stated during a campaign stop in Perth. “We have the most successful migration program, but we won’t compromise on the settings that provide screening for people coming in from a war zone.”
Visa Applications and Security Clearances
Between October 7, 2023, and September 30, 2024, the Australian Department of Home Affairs received 10,644 visa applications from Palestinians. Of these, 7,268 applications were rejected, and 2,999 were approved. As of mid-October last year, 1,732 Palestinians had arrived in Australia under temporary visitor visas.
In response to the situation, Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke confirmed in December that over 800 Palestinians on tourist visas had been granted work, Medicare, and study rights while their humanitarian visa applications were processed. This expedited processing helped resolve the status of many individuals who had been in limbo for over a year.
ASIO’s Role in the Process
The Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO), the country’s top spy agency, was tasked with security checks for 2,601 Palestinian visa holders in March 2024. ASIO’s director-general, Mike Burgess, later confirmed that no links had been found between the Gaza conflict and any terror incidents within Australia.
When asked if he doubted the effectiveness of Australian security agencies, especially considering the vetting process Palestinians underwent at the Egyptian border crossing, Dutton emphasized that Australia would conduct its own security checks. “We will take advice and conduct proper security checks,” he explained.
Reaffirming Israel’s Capital: Coalition’s Stance
Dutton also addressed the controversial issue of recognizing West Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, a policy initially enacted by former Prime Minister Scott Morrison. In 2018, Australia followed the lead of the United States under President Donald Trump by acknowledging Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. However, the Labor government reversed this decision when it took power in 2022.
On Wednesday, Dutton confirmed that the Coalition would reinstate the recognition of West Jerusalem as Israel’s capital if elected in 2025. While he suggested there were no immediate plans to alter Australia’s diplomatic stance, a spokesperson clarified that the Coalition’s position remains consistent with Morrison-era policy.
Foreign Affairs spokesman David Coleman outlined the Coalition’s stance in a March speech at The Sydney Institute, affirming that West Jerusalem is the capital of Israel. “When Labor announced its shambolic decision in 2022, the Coalition expressed its strong opposition and affirmed that our position remained that West Jerusalem is the capital of Israel,” Coleman stated.
The Jerusalem Controversy
The status of Jerusalem is a central issue in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. While Israel considers the city its capital, Palestinians view East Jerusalem as the capital of a future Palestinian state. The Australian government has referred to the status of Jerusalem as a “final status issue” to be settled in future peace negotiations between Israel and Palestine.
The Gaza Conflict: Escalation and Casualties
The ongoing war between Hamas and Israel, which erupted on October 7, 2023, has led to widespread devastation. The Israeli government reported that Hamas’s attack killed 1,200 people and resulted in around 250 hostages being taken. Since then, over 51,000 Palestinians have died as a result of Israel’s military response, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.
The political and humanitarian fallout from the conflict has sparked global debates on how countries should respond to the situation, particularly in terms of refugee admissions and foreign policy.
