Australian Senator Resigns Amid Gaza Vote Backlash
Senator Fatima Payman has resigned from Australia's ruling Labor Party, days after voting against it to support a motion on Palestinian statehood.
Labor enforces strict penalties for undermining its policy positions. Ms. Payman, already suspended indefinitely from the party's caucus, resigned after vowing to vote against the party line again. Despite feeling "deeply torn," she emphasized her inability to compromise on this issue.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed her resignation, noting she was not intimidated into quitting. Ms. Payman, Australia's first hijab-wearing federal politician, will join the crossbench as an independent. She cited her personal experiences with injustice as motivation for her stance on the Gaza conflict
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who handed down the indefinite suspension on Sunday, had repeatedly said Ms Payman could rejoin the caucus – where MPs discuss the government’s agenda - if she was willing to participate “as a team player”.
But in a statement earlier this week, Ms Payman said she had been “exiled” by Labor - explaining that she had been removed from meetings, group chats and all committees.
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