Tony Burke says people have right to grieve Gaza deaths and backs flying Palestinian flag in Australia

Tony Burke says ‘immature debate’ in Australia suggests that ‘if you acknowledge anything in favor of the Palestinian people … that somehow that’s making excuses for Hamas, it’s not.’ Photograph: Mick Tsikas/AAP

Albanese government minister Tony Burke has backed a Sydney council’s decision to raise the Palestinian flag until a ceasefire is declared in the Israel-Gaza conflict, saying people had a right to grieve what they saw happening to Palestinians.

Burke, one of the most senior members of the Labor government, represents an electorate with one of the biggest Muslim communities in Australia. In an interview with ABC radio RN Breakfast, Burke said the council was truly “representing grief in that community”.