The Greens politician says she sees ‘no point’ in being in parliament ‘if we remain silent in times of such grave injustice’.
Australian senator Mehreen Faruqi has been leading protests in the national parliament calling for a ceasefire in the Israel-Gaza conflict. As deputy leader of the Australian Greens, Faruqi says that she is bringing the “peoples’ protests into parliament”.
With 11 senators, the Greens form part of the cross-bench in Australia’s upper house but the party’s calls for a ceasefire have been opposed by Australia’s centre-left Labor government, led by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
Albanese’s government has made little change to its position since abstaining from a United Nations General Assembly vote calling for a humanitarian truce last month.
Al Jazeera spoke to Faruqi about support for a ceasefire in Australia and what potential she sees for a change in the Australian government’s position.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity. Source:aljazeera.com
