Senator Wins Support to Condemn Pro-Palestinian Slogan ‘From the River to the Sea’

The phrase was used by a Labor Senator, however, she was not present for the vote in the Senate.

Protesters hold placards during a pro Palestine demonstration, in Sydney, Australia, on Dec. 7, 2023. AAP Image/Bianca De Marchi

Shadow Foreign Minister Simon Birmingham has won support for a motion in the Senate condemning the chant “from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.”

The motion (pdf), introduced by Mr. Birmingham to the Senate on May 16, noted the slogan opposes Israel’s right to exist.

The phrase has been heard at Students for Palestine protests around Australia and on university campuses for months, but its use in parliament was condemned.

It is widely seen as offensive to Jewish people because it calls for Israel—situated between Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea—to be destroyed.

Mr. Birmingham introduced his motion after Labor Senator Fatima Payman swayed from her party and said the phrase publicly.

“This is a genocide. And we need to stop pretending otherwise. From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.”

However, she was rebuked by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who said her comments were not appropriate during an interview with ABC radio.

The shadow foreign minister’s motion agreed with Mr. Albanese that the chant is a “slogan that calls for opposition to a two-state solution.”

Mr. Birmingham’s resolution also called on all Senators to engage in debates and commentary respectively, and to refrain from inflammatory and divisive comments, both inside and outside the chamber at all times.

Labor teamed up with the Coalition in supporting the motion to condemn the anti-Semitic chant, but the Greens opposed the motion.

Senate minutes show the motion from Mr. Birmingham received 56 votes in favour and 12 against, but Ms. Payman was absent from the chamber for the vote.

Speaking in Parliament, Mr. Birmingham raised concerns that the anti-Semitic slogan “from the river to the sea” has been accepted, and even mentioned by members of the government.”

“Such chants and phrases have no place in the type of political debate we wish to see in our country,” Mr. Birmingham said.

“They have no place because of the way in which they are used to encourage division, to inflame hatred and through acts of antisemitism. We should, we must stand against acts of antisemitism in all of its forms and that includes the requirement to stand against language that fuels, drives, and underpins antisemitism.”

In response, Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the phrase “from the river to the sea” is not consistent with a two-state solution.

“It is that solution which is needed for peace and security of Palestinians and Israelis alike. And we will use our voice to advocate for a humanitarian ceasefire, for the release of hostages, for a two-state solution, including by using our vote at the United Nations to add international momentum for a two-state solution.”

Hamas launched an attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing 1,200 people and capturing 250 hostages, many of whom have now died. Since then, 35,000 people have died in Gaza, according to the Hamas-controlled Gaza health ministry.