Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is under intense pressure to apologise after archival footage from the year 2000 resurfaced, showing him attending a pro-Palestinian rally where flags linked to terrorist organisations were being waved.
Historic Footage Sparks Modern Outcry
The grainy video, which first re-emerged two years ago, captures a young Anthony Albanese at a protest in Sydney's Martin Place. The future Prime Minister is seen standing in a crowd where a Hezbollah flag was being waved just metres away from him. During the 2000 demonstration, Albanese used a megaphone to address attendees, condemning the actions of the Israeli military at the time.
This visual evidence has now been paired with a blistering speech from 2002 by then-Zionist Federation President Ron Weiser. Speaking at the State Zionist Council’s Annual Assembly, with future PM Kevin Rudd in attendance, Weiser directly accused the long-time MP for Grayndler of marching alongside terrorist symbols.
"We also see Anthony Albanese marching in Palestinian rallies in Sydney, while elements of the crowd carry Hezbollah and Hamas flags and others have their children wearing plastic suicide vests," Weiser declared in his address.
Calls for an Apology and Mounting Criticism
Shadow finance minister James Paterson has publicly demanded that the Prime Minister apologise for his conduct at the historic rallies. In an interview with Sky News, Paterson stated, "Anthony Albanese should personally apologise to the Jewish community and all Australians for speaking at a rally featuring flags of a listed terrorist organisation."
He further argued that the footage "shows incredibly poor judgement and a long history of indifference to the Jewish community’s concerns, which has sadly been so evident since October 7."
This controversy compounds the significant public backlash Albanese has already faced over his government's response to the Bondi Beach terrorist attack. The attack, where Sajid and Naveed Akram allegedly opened fire on a Hanukkah celebration, claimed 15 lives. Families of the victims have criticised the PM for refusing to establish a federal royal commission into the atrocity, blaming his administration for a perceived escalation in antisemitic threats in Australia.
Albanese's Response and Continued Scrutiny
The Prime Minister was directly questioned about the 2000 footage during a heated Christmas Day interview on 2GB with broadcaster Susie Elelman. Elelman cited the clip where Albanese is heard saying, "The response of Israel has been to meet children throwing rocks with helicopters, with tanks and with missiles"—a sentiment he echoed in parliament at the time.
When asked by Elelman, "Is that fake news? Is it you or a doppelganger?" Albanese declined to give a direct answer. He responded, "I have no idea. You're not showing me something, so I'm not going to comment on something that you are not showing me with respect."
He did, however, reiterate his long-standing political position, stating, "I have been concerned about a range of issues in the Middle East over a long period of time, but I've always been a supporter of two states. I have consistently supported the state of Israel's right to exist within secure borders, but also the rights of Palestinians."
The Daily Mail has contacted the Prime Minister's office for further comment on the resurfaced footage and the subsequent demands for an apology.
