Australian PM Albanese heckled, booed at largest mosque over stance on Israel

CANBERRA: Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was heckled and booed during a visit to the country's largest mosque on Friday, as worshippers voiced their anger over his government's position on Israel's military offensive in Gaza.

Video footage showed protesters interrupting the proceedings approximately 15 minutes after Albanese and Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke joined worshippers at Lakemba Mosque in western Sydney for Eidul Fitr prayers, marking the end of Ramazan.

Protesters call PM a 'genocide supporter'

Demonstrators at the mosque booed the prime minister and told him and Burke to "Get out!" while calling them "genocide supporters," a reference to Israel's killing of Palestinians in Gaza.

One of the organisers attempted to restore order, telling the crowd:

"Dear brothers and sisters, keep calm a little bit."

The organiser urged people to sit down and stop filming the exchange, noting that it was Eid.

Government walks fine line on Gaza

Sections of Australia's Muslim and Jewish communities have expressed frustration over what they see as a fine line walked by the centre-left government since Israel launched its military campaign in Gaza. The government has expressed concern for Palestinians, repeatedly urged a ceasefire, while also backing Israel's right to self-defence.

The incident at Lakemba Mosque underscores the growing domestic tensions in Australia over the government's handling of the Israel-Gaza conflict, with critics on both sides of the debate expressing dissatisfaction with Albanese's approach.

The heckling of the prime minister during what is one of the most significant religious occasions for Muslims highlights the depth of feeling within Australia's Muslim community regarding the ongoing violence in Gaza and the government's diplomatic stance towards its ally Israel.

Lakemba Mosque, located in western Sydney, is recognised as Australia's largest mosque and traditionally hosts prominent political figures during major Islamic occasions such as Eidul Fitr.