Australia PM urges activists to ‘turn the heat down’ after U.S. Consulate vandalized over Gaza war
NBCJun 20
Australia: Albanese Condemns Vandalism at US Consulate
Above: Prime Minister of Australia, Anthony Albanese during post budget media interviews at Parliament House on May 15, 2024 in Canberra, Australia. Image copyright: Tracey Nearmy/Stringer/Getty Images News via Getty Images
The Facts
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called for advocates on both sides of the Israel-Palestinian conflict to "turn the heat down" after the US Consulate in Sydney was defaced with pro-Palestinian graffiti on Monday.
Video footage of the incident shows an unidentified suspect dressed in a dark hoodie smashing nine windows of the building with a sledgehammer early Monday morning.
The Spin
Narrative A
The conflict in Gaza is complex, and emotions are running high for people on both sides. Vandalism and crimes, however, do nothing to contribute to the causes of either side. Respectful political debate must take precedence over reprehensible and pointless acts.
Narrative B
Australians must stand up against the hypocrisy and inaction of their government. By continuing to support serial offenders of human rights abuses, Canberra is compromising its morals and contributing to the murders of innocent civilians.