0

BEĞENDİM

ABONE OL

News

0

Peter Khalil on Navigating International Conflicts and Diaspora Challenges: Insights from Wills’ MP and Chair of the Intelligence Committee

“In this in-depth interview with Peter Khalil, Member of Parliament for Wills and Chair of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security, conducted by Dunya Newspaper’s Politics Editor Dilan Bektaş and Editor Mustafa Yılmaz, we explore Khalil’s personal background, his perspectives on international conflicts, and his approaches to addressing the challenges faced by diaspora communities. Khalil provides a comprehensive overview of how his experiences shape his views on Australia’s foreign policy, societal issues, and the role of media, offering valuable insights into the complexities of both global and local dynamics.”

Dilan Bektaş: Thank you for taking the time to speak with us today.

Considering your background—growing up in public housing, being a second-generation Australian, and the first Coptic Christian in Parliament—how have your personal experiences in overcoming challenges and advocating for your community shaped your views on the current conflict in the Levant?

Peter Khalil: Firstly, thank you for having me, Dilan.

 Our upbringing, environment, and the values instilled by our family and community play a significant role in shaping who we are. Our faith, ethnic background, and culture deeply influence our perspectives and decisions. Growing up, I learned the importance of respecting and embracing diversity, regardless of ethnic, racial, or faith differences. I have close Muslim friends from Egypt, and we celebrate each other’s Eid, fostering a strong sense of community. This upbringing shaped my values, especially in public life.

In foreign policy, particularly concerning the Levant and the broader Middle East, my commitment is to Australia’s national interest, prioritizing peace in the region. I advocate for ending the conflict in Gaza, reflecting the Australian Government’s consistent votes at the UN for an immediate ceasefire. Alongside leaders from Canada and New Zealand, our Prime Minister has called for this ceasefire, emphasizing the need to alleviate civilian suffering. We’ve increased humanitarian aid by nearly $100 million to ensure assistance reaches those in need. We’re also deeply concerned about the potential spread of conflict into Lebanon and other countries, as this could draw millions more into the crisis, something we are committed to preventing.

The Australian government is committed to ending the conflict, alleviating suffering, and pursuing diplomatic efforts to achieve peace. A key part of this approach is advancing real justice and self-determination for both the Palestinian and Israeli people, living side by side in a two-state solution. I believe Australia should play a constructive and substantive role in supporting the creation of a Palestinian state and promoting a two-state solution. However, this effort requires the collective action of the international community. Without this, the region risks enduring endless conflict and violence, which benefits no one. We must break the cycle of hatred and violence, and while it’s challenging, it is necessary.

There have been numerous attempts over the decades to resolve this conflict, but it has proven extremely difficult. As you mentioned, my family has an Egyptian background, and my grandfather, father, and uncles all served in the Egyptian army. They fought in several wars in the region—1948, 1956, 1967, and 1973. My family has a deep history with war and conflict in the region, and they came to this country seeking a better life. We don’t want to see that kind of conflict here in Australia, and I believe most migrants share this sentiment. 

DB: Although the conflict in the Levant is geographically far from Australia, your family has experienced these regional conflicts in the past. How has the recent escalation in the Levant affected you personally and your family, considering your background and past experiences?

I am of Egyptian heritage, and my father, uncles and grandfather all fought in wars in the region for Palestinian liberation. Palestinian recognition and self-determination, as well as the right of Israeli’s and Palestinians to live side by side in peace, is something I have vocally supported for a very long time.

However, this conflict extends far beyond my family’s connection to it – and I know that so many people in Australia have personal connections to the region and are deeply worried for family and friends. I am gravely concerned by the ongoing war and humanitarian crisis in Gaza, and escalations we have seen in the wider region. The loss of all innocent life is a tragedy, and I have consistently called for a ceasefire, for the return of hostages, and for aid to be allowed to travel freely into Gaza where people are deeply suffering.

I have consistently used my platform as a member of the government to advocate for the role Australia must play in ongoing reconstruction and peace in the region, and I am ensuring that the voices of my constituents who also want to see war end immediately are heard.

DB: You have been an advocate for a multicultural Australia both before and during your time as a member of parliament, including intervening to assist Iranian refugee Amir when he was blocked from returning to Australia.

How does your intervention in Amir’s case reflect your stance on Australia’s responsibility to support victims of violence and protect human rights?

Since coming into Parliament, I have advocated for greater support of asylum seekers and refugees, and reiterated the need to protect this cohort in Australia from violence and political persecution in accordance with international human rights law. My office has assisted thousands of refugees and asylum seekers in my community of Wills over the years.

As a country, Australia is our strongest when we embrace and celebrate our many diverse communities. And those who have migrated here, including refugees and asylum seekers, have contributed so much to our communities and our economy.

Importantly, in our first term of government, the Albanese Labor Government have abolished TPVs and SHEVs – something I had advocated for years.

DB: You have recently been appointed as the Special Envoy for Social Cohesion. How will your role as Special Envoy for Social Cohesion influence your approach to the ongoing Levantine conflict, and will you continue to advocate for an independent and recognized Palestine through a two-state solution?

I have long supported the need for a two-state solution and Palestinian recognition, and a future where Israeli’s and Palestinians can live side by side in peace and security. I will continue to advocate this position as Australia’s Special Envoy for Social Cohesion.

The Albanese Labor Government voted at the United Nations earlier this year for increased membership rights for Palestine and has been consistent in our position that a two-state solution is the only way to stop the endless cycles of violence in the region that have taken the lives of so many.

DB: You have emphasized the need for peace and diplomacy between Israel and Palestine. Do you believe that the principles of peace and diplomacy are also needed within Australia at this time, particularly in addressing domestic issues and conflicts?

Peace and diplomacy are fundamental principles within Australia’s democratic society, both during and outside of times of crisis. They work to strengthen our social cohesion, which is crucial.

Social cohesion looks at how different parts of society come together to form a cohesive whole. As Australians, we come from a variety of different backgrounds. We have different cultures, religious beliefs, values, socioeconomic backgrounds, and so on.

Whilst we don’t need to agree on everything all the time, we should seek to find consensus and compromise where we can, and promote ways to disagree in peaceful ways without resorting to using violence or hate speech.

Australia has been a relatively harmonious society, and all of us have done a great deal of work to move forward together as a society. My work as Special Envoy for Social Cohesion will see how we can strengthen that sentiment, and continue to promote the ideals of peaceful and diplomatic interactions.

Dilan Bektas, Peter Khalil MP, Mustafa Yilmaz.

DB: How would you address the concerns of Wills’ diverse Muslim community to offer reassurance during the current conflict? What key message would you share to ease their worries?

The Palestinian Australian community in my electorate, along with the broader Muslim Australian population, has been deeply affected by the pain and anguish given the ongoing tragedy and conflict overseas. This suffering must be acknowledged. Much of my recent engagement with these communities has been centered on listening to their perspectives and understanding the depth of their pain.

As a local representative, my focus has been to support the community during this challenging time by advocating on their behalf at the federal level, working with ministers, and also providing assistance locally. For instance, I’ve helped Palestinian families reunite with loved ones here in Australia through visa support. We’ve done significant work in that area, and I’ve also engaged with the government to support the broader community, including local Islamic schools, mosques, and other organizations, to address the issues that matter to them.

One of the unfortunate consequences of the conflict overseas has been a rise in discrimination, including Islamophobia and antisemitism. Whether someone is Muslim or Jewish, no one should be targeted because of their faith due to events happening abroad. Many Australians have no connection to what is happening overseas, and it’s important that they are treated fairly, equally, and with respect here in our own community.

I’ve worked closely with the Muslim Australian community to address the challenges they are facing, particularly in light of this recent rise in prejudice. This has been an ongoing effort for many years, as discrimination has been a long-standing issue. Many people in the Egyptian or Turkish communities understand this, as migrants who came here earlier experienced their own struggles with racism. My father faced it, and I also experienced it after September 11th. People made assumptions based on my appearance, and it was a difficult time, particularly for those of Middle Eastern backgrounds, regardless of whether they were Muslim, Christian, or Sikh. Sadly, many Sikh individuals were also targeted because of ignorance, as people didn’t understand and attacked them based on their headdress.

That first generation of migrants endured a lot of prejudice and discrimination, but they persevered to build better lives for their children and grandchildren in this country. So I believe we have a responsibility to continue that work. I’ve always advocated for the Muslim Australian community in parliament, addressing the issues that matter most to them, as well as supporting the Kurdish and Alevi communities.

DB: How do you think Australia, as both a regional player and global citizen, can best support international efforts to alleviate suffering, while also addressing the impact of overseas conflicts on diaspora communities here?

We must work with the UN and the international community, and our aid and development assistance programs play a crucial role in that effort.

As you mentioned, overseas conflicts do affect our diverse communities here. We’ve seen this before in Australian history, such as during the Yugoslav wars, with Serbians and Croatians, or conflicts in the Balkans, Sudan, Yemen, and Myanmar. These events deeply impact diaspora communities living here. I’ve personally experienced this type of prejudice just after 9/11 happened. I was judged based off of my appearance.

What’s important is that no one is targeted because of their identity. Australians have the freedom to protest and express their views, especially around foreign policy. I’ve consistently said in public and in the media that people have the absolute right to protest, as long as it’s peaceful, respectful, and doesn’t cross into hate speech, vilification, or violence. I fully support the right to protest, as it’s a vital part of expressing views in a free society.

DB: During the last several months, your office in the electorate has been targeted, including having staff members escorted out by police. How has this targeting and the disruption to your office affected the delivery of services to the Wills community?

There have been various protests, including those about environmental issues and the Gaza conflict. The vast majority have been peaceful, and we fully support the right to engage in peaceful, democratic protest. It’s a fundamental democratic right to protest freely, and most demonstrations, whether outside our office or elsewhere in the city, have been respectful.

However, on a few rare occasions, protests have escalated into violence, including incidents where my staff were surrounded and needed police assistance to safely leave the office. No one should have to experience that when simply trying to go to work. While people have every right to protest, it’s unacceptable to target individuals going about their daily business or work. Everyone deserves to feel safe at their place of employment.

Despite these challenges, we continue to serve and support the community. There have been only a couple of instances where we’ve had to temporarily close our doors due to protests turning violent, which unfortunately meant we couldn’t provide services for a short time. But again, the majority of protests have been peaceful, and we fully respect people’s right to express their views and raise important issues.

Mustafa Yilmaz: You’ve previously commented on the manipulation of media, including the negative portrayal of both protestors and refugees. What solutions do you see for addressing media manipulation?

That’s a great question because the media plays such a vital role in a free society. What you do at Dunya newspaper, as part of the ethnic media and a voice for the Turkish and Turkish Australian community is a critical part of informing and educating the public about current affairs, news, and important issues. The freedom to do this is something we must protect fully.

Unfortunately, in some corners of the media, especially on social media and online platforms, we’ve seen the spread of significant misinformation and disinformation. This undermines the trust that communities have in our institutions, democracy, and even in the media itself.

The way social media algorithms function often worsens this issue by amplifying division, discord, and disharmony, prioritizing content that sparks anger or outrage, which tends to attract more clicks. This setup exacerbates the problem, and it’s a major concern in our communities. When people are operating with entirely different sets of facts and realities, it becomes much harder for them to engage in respectful disagreement or even have meaningful conversations because they’re viewing the world through completely different lenses.

DB: During the Yes to Parliament campaign, we witnessed a significant spread of misinformation online, and it was challenging to stay ahead of it due to the rapid nature of social media.

You gave an excellent example. During the referendum, we saw a lot of misinformation deliberately spread to create confusion, undermine confidence in the issue, and cause disruption.

This was intentional, and it does real harm to the democratic process. When people lose trust, it’s not just in democracy—they lose trust in institutions, the court system, and even the media. They start to believe that no one is telling the truth, thinking, ‘You’re just lying like everyone else.’ As a result, there’s no central point of reference.

The work we’re doing in parliament is crucial, especially when it comes to legislation and regulatory frameworks. Striking the right balance is essential. We must protect the free press and the media’s right to express, criticize, and hold those in power accountable. At the same time, we need to ensure that different media platforms are not using their influence to spread disinformation or lies, which can be so damaging. 

DB: How has this issue affected you professionally?

Recently, the misinformation surrounding the Gaza war is a prime example of the challenges we’re facing. Despite clear actions by the Australian government—such as voting multiple times in the United Nations for a ceasefire—false claims persist. Some say we oppose a ceasefire or that we’re selling weapons to Israel, when in fact, we don’t sell any weapons to Israel. There’s also misinformation about Australia sending soldiers to the region, which is completely untrue. 

Our stance is clear: we’ve increased humanitarian aid, imposed sanctions on Israeli settlers in response to the violence in the West Bank, and condemned the terrorist attacks of October 7th. We’ve called for the release of hostages and are committed to a principled and balanced approach to ending the conflict and alleviating suffering. These are real actions our government has taken to promote peace.

MY: Could you share your insights on the Turkish community in Australia?

The Turkish-Australian community has a long history, with many migrants arriving in the early 60s and 70s, around the same time as my parents. Growing up in Australia, we had numerous friends from this community, alongside those from Lebanon, Egypt, and various European countries. This first generation shared many experiences while striving for a better life in Australia.

The Turkish community in Australia is diverse in faith and politics and has made a significant impact on the country’s multicultural society. Their contributions and the strong historical ties between Australia and Türkiye—illustrated by Atatürk’s famous quote about Australian soldiers—strengthen our relationship. Overall, the influence of Turkish Australians is a notable success story in Australia’s multicultural landscape

DB: As an artist, I’ve often heard your name associated with supporting the arts. Could you share your contributions to the arts, your views on their importance, and why you believe they are essential to society?”

From a policy perspective, there are two schools of thought regarding the arts. One viewpoint emphasizes the commercial nature of the arts, pointing out that more people visit the NGV than the MCG, suggesting that the arts are successful. While I agree with this perspective, I believe it is insufficient to rely solely on the commercial value of the arts. Government support is crucial because not all artists or their work are commercially viable.

Fundamentally, the arts are the heart and soul of any civilization or society. Without that soul, we are left with a technocratic world focused solely on jobs and productivity. The arts connect us to our humanity, allowing us to explore the beauty around us and question our existence from different perspectives. They provide a window into our inner world and offer unique viewpoints, whether expressed through visual arts, dance, theatre, or music. The arts offer a window into the human soul. For any civilization or society to thrive, the arts must be placed at the forefront. A vibrant and healthy arts community is essential for fostering the cultural richness and dynamism of that society.

The government should support the arts because their value goes beyond financial considerations; they shape our identity and worldview and are vital for self-expression and creativity. Increased funding for music and the arts, along with more grants and greater independence in the process, is essential. Unlike past administrations that selectively supported certain art forms, the current government promotes broader artistic independence, including a strong emphasis on literature.

DB: I can only imagine the pressures you face as a federal MP. Before we get into the more serious topics, I’d like to ask a more personal question: How do you manage the stress of your role and stay resilient in the face of challenges?

 There are certainly many stressful aspects of the job, and it’s challenging, especially when faced with people who engage in a hateful manner. It can be quite upsetting. However, the work we do significantly helps a lot of people, which more than balances out the negatives. Serving the community and making a positive impact on people’s lives is incredibly energizing. It gives you a sense of purpose, knowing that you’re contributing to improving others’ lives. This positive aspect of the job far outweighs the negatives.

DB: It must be difficult for your family.

My wife and kids have always been my biggest support system, and their understanding really helps me navigate the challenges I face. I always make it a point to spend quality time with them because being fully present during those moments is so important to me.

Yazar Hakkında

MYLMZ

Son Yazıları

Yazar'ın Tüm Yazıları

• Australian News2024.09.25Avustralya’da Göçmenlik ve Toplumsal Değişim
• Avustralya Gündem2024.09.25Destek ve Yardım Mevcut: Yalnız Değilsiniz
• Avustralya Gündem2024.09.25EVAN, ‘LİBERAL PARTİ TOPLUMA IŞIK TUTUYOR’
• Avustralya Gündem2024.09.23Greenvale United SC Şampiyon Oldu