Disappointed grassroots Labor members are mounting pressure on the Albanese government to call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza.
A group from the NSW Labor Friends of Palestine met with MPs at Parliament House in Canberra on Wednesday.
President of Palestinian Christians in Australia Suzan Wahhab said a "humanitarian catastrophe" was unfolding in the besieged Gaza strip.
"We cannot stay silent and see those people die in front of our eyes, we will not let that happen," she said.
"So we are asking every single politician and normal ordinary Australian people to find it in your hearts, to show mercy and ask your representative for a permanent immediate ceasefire."
The leader of the delegation said she wanted the government to treat both communities equally, and hoped to meet with Anthony Albanese and Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong, as they had met with an Israeli delegation.
"If they want to be fair, they need to definitely see both communities," she said.
"Both are suffering."
Asked about rising Islamophobia in Australia, Ms Wahhab said it was a rise in "anti-Palestinian" sentiment, as Christian community members had also been targeted regardless of their religious affiliation.
Ms Wahhab said she was disappointed in the government's response to the conflict and that Senator Wong's comments about steps towards a ceasefire did not go far enough.
Mohamad Assoum, who joined the Labor delegation, said there had not been enough condemnation of Islamophobia or anti-Palestinian sentiment in comparison to the statements against anti-Semitism.
"There is a definite and clear distinction between the two groups in Australian politics, which is both unfair and really upsetting to our communities," he said.
More than 35 ALP organisations in NSW have passed resolutions calling for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza.
The government has signalled it supports further extensions to the pause in hostilities in Gaza.
A six-day truce in the Gaza Strip conflict is wrapping up between Israel and Hamas, designated a banned terrorist organisation by Australia.
Israel has said the truce could be prolonged further, provided Hamas continues to free at least 10 Israeli hostages a day.
The hostages were taken by Hamas gunmen during a rampage into southern Israel which killed 1200 people.
Israel's bombardment of Hamas-ruled Gaza in retaliation has killed more than 15,000 people, authorities said.
A spokeswoman for Senator Wong said Australia welcomed the pause in hostilities, and supported further extensions.
"Australia wants to see continued steps towards a sustainable ceasefire, but it cannot be one-sided," she said.
"This deal represents important progress, but we must ultimately work for a long-term, enduring peace."
With Reuters
