Tony Abbott Offers Rare Compliment to Malcolm Turnbull Amid the Israel-Hamas Conflict

Former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull greeted Tony Abbott before he addressed the Coalition national campaign rally during the Liberal Party 2016 Federal Campaign Launch in Sydney, Australia, on June 26, 2016. Andrew Meares-Pool/Getty Images

Former Prime Minister Tony Abbott has offered an extremely rare compliment to Malcolm Turnbull in the midst of the Israel and Hamas conflict.

The two former prime ministers were signatories on a joint statement condemning the cruel and murderous attack on Israeli families by Hamas on Oct. 7.

John Howard, Kevin Rudd, Julia Gillard, and Scott Morrison also signed the joint statement released on Oct. 30.

Mr. Turnbull ousted Mr. Abbott as leader of the Liberal Party in 2015, becoming Prime Minister of Australia until 2018.

In a radio interview, Mr. Abbott revealed that Mr. Turnbull drafted the words and did a “wonderful job.”

“You don’t often see Tony Abbott singing Malcolm Turnbull’s praises but this was really Malcolm’s great work here,” he told 2GB radio.

Mr. Abbott explained Josh Frydenberg, the former Liberal federal treasurer of Jewish faith, approached the prime ministers and they all agreed.

“Josh approached us all, we all said yes. Josh as I understand it, had drafted a statement. Malcolm, I think quite suitably said, look if it’s going to come from all the former Prime Ministers it should be drafted by one of us, and Malcolm then drafted the words. We all had our say; there were one or two minor amendments made,” Mr. Abbott said.

“I think Malcolm’s done a wonderful job, and I think it’s a beautiful, beautiful statement that I am certainly very proud to be part of.”

Former Prime Ministers of Australia (L-R), Malcolm Fraser, Julia Gillard, Bob Hawke, Tony Abbott, John Howard, Kevin Rudd, and Paul Keating assemble for a photograph at the completion of the state memorial service for former Australian Prime Minister Gough Whitlam at Sydney Town Hall in Sydney, Australia, on Nov. 5, 2014. Dan Himbrecht - Pool/Getty Images

Joint Letter

The letter called for the unconditional release of all hostages taken by Hamas, noting Hamas terrorists sought to horrify and intimidate the people of Israel, shaking that nation’s faith in its technology, military, and government.

“But they also sought to provoke Israel into a reaction that would kill countless innocent civilians in Gaza. The Hamas terrorists have no more interest in the safety of Palestinians than they do of Israelis,” the letter stated.

“Their mission is to promote hatred—hatred of Israelis, hatred of Jews, hatred of Palestinians, hatred of Muslims.”

Former Labor Prime Minister Paul Keating, who served as leader of the nation from 1991 to 1996, was the sole living former prime minister who did not sign the letter.

Mr. Abbott said Israel is entitled to do everything it reasonably can to stamp out Hamas because Hamas is a death cult.

“Look at what the Hamas terrorists did inside Israel. There was no justification whatsoever for that,” Mr. Abbott said. “And what Hamas is doing inside Gaza is effectively using the civilian population as human shields.”

In the face of some politicians not taking sides, the former prime minister said he thinks “we do have to take sides.”

“Now Israel has a long record of doing its best to protect people, and I am sure they are not going to abandon that decency in this. But I think we do have to take sides. When it comes to Hamas, and the people and government of Israel, we have got to be absolutely be on Israel’s side,” Mr. Abbott said.

(L-R) Former Australian Prime Ministers Julia Gillard, Kevin Rudd, and Paul Keating and Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews attend the Labor Party campaign launch for the 2019 Federal election at the Brisbane Convention Centre in Brisbane, Australia, on May 5, 2019. AAP Image/Lukas Coch

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was asked about his support for the letter and why Mr. Keating didn’t sign it during an interview on Oct. 31 in Bundaberg but declined to answer directly.

“I think that’s a question for Paul Keating, I would have thought. I support the positions that I’ve taken, and the position in the Parliament last Monday was done with overwhelming support,” Mr. Albanese said.

“It is important that we recognise that the attacks from Hamas on Israel are worthy of absolute condemnation in an unequivocal way,  It’s also important to recognise that Israel has a right to defend itself, but how it does that matters. And we need to make sure as well, that every civilian life is valued, whether it be Israeli or Palestinian.”

Prime Minister of Australia Anthony Albanese speaks during a news conference with U.S. President Joe Biden in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, on Oct. 25, 2023. Drew Angerer/Getty Images

Foreign Minister Penny Wong revealed on Oct. 30 that there are still 88 Australians and families stuck in Gaza. The government said it has been working since the conflict started to get them out of Gaza.

The Australian government announced $15 million (US$9.5 million) for Gaza while Mr. Albanese was in the U.S. with President Joe Biden last week.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has still not spoken to Mr. Albanese, according to media reports.

Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Birmingham said it is surprising and disappointing that the requested call from Australia has not been taken.

Mr. Birmingham noted the Albanese Government has made a “number of unilateral policy shifts” in relation to Israel during their time in office that didn’t do much to “warm the relationship.”

“I urge the Albanese Government to make sure they remain firm and in lockstep on this issue that even with the divisions or splinters in the Labor Party from Paul Keating or from different ministers. They’ve got to be solid and firm about Israel’s right to self-defence and its right to remove Hamas as a threat in the future,” Mr. Birmingham said on Sky News.