Howes quits Senate race amid claims of ‘blind bias for Israel’
UNION boss and outspoken Israel supporter Paul Howes has described as “disappointing” a letter from Australia’s Mufti Dr Ibrahim Abu Mohammed threatening to withdraw the Western Sydney Muslim community’s support for Labor should Howes replace the outgoing Bob Carr in the Senate.
UNION boss and outspoken Israel supporter Paul Howes has described as “disappointing” a letter from Australia’s Mufti Dr Ibrahim Abu Mohammed threatening to withdraw the Western Sydney Muslim community’s support for Labor should Howes replace the outgoing Bob Carr in the Senate.
The Australian Workers Union national secretary told The AJN the Mufti’s threat was not the determining factor in his decision to opt out of the race for the Senate vacancy, but said the intervention was unwelcome.
“Trying to use the language of extremism and division here in Australia on this issue is concerning to me and shouldn’t be tolerated,” Howes said.
“It concerns me that religious leaders of any denomination seek to intervene into the internal workings of Australian political parties,” Howes said.
The Australian Financial Review last week reported that a leaked email, written on behalf of Dr Mohammed, accused Howes of “blind bias for Israel”.
“[Howes’s] appointment would not at all help the engagement effort between the ALP and the wider Muslim community,” the email read.
“As you know, we have worked very hard to marshal our community to support and successfully retain the majority of ALP seats in Western Sydney against all odds, and the choice of Paul will threaten our efforts to maintain this momentum, especially if new elections are called in the next year.”
Dr Mohammed was contacted for comment, but had not responded by the time the The AJN went to press.
Jewish Labor MP Michael Danby was also contacted by The AJN, but declined to comment.
Howes said he didn’t believe the email had any impact on support for his campaign to secure the Senate seat and said he had been “misrepresented” on issues relating to Middle Eastern politics.
ADAM KAMIEN
Paul Howes with former PM Julia Gillard.
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