Israel-Gaza war looms large over Labor’s hold on Melbourne seats of Macnamara and Wills

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Jewish and Muslim communities are unhappy with Labor’s position, for opposite reasons. But no one can be sure whether that will drive votes to the Liberals or Greens – or bothElection 2025 live updates: Australia federal election campaignPolls tracker; election guide; full federal election coverageAnywhere but Canberra; interactive electorates guideGet our afternoon election email, free app or daily news podcastIn two Melbourne electorates, just 15km apart, Labor finds itself under attack from both sides of a conflict nearly 14,000km away.In the bayside seat of Macnamara, home to Victoria’s largest Jewish community, the party has been criticised for its response to antisemitism and a perceived failure to stand firmly with Israel amid the war in Gaza, sparked by the Hamas attacks on 7 October 2023.Sign up for the Afternoon Update: Election 2025 email newsletter Continue reading...

Jewish and Muslim communities are unhappy with Labor’s position, for opposite reasons. But no one can be sure whether that will drive votes to the Liberals or Greens – or both.