The accusation came as Shoebridge's history of controversies was circulated by internal Greens critics and political opponents in Canberra, and as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese suggested Shoebridge's hardline approach would turn off Greens voters.
On Thursday, Shoebridge said the rare contested ballot of Greens MPs this week showed the party's hunger to respond to what he views as overlapping social, economic and environmental crises producing 'searing anger' among voters. 'I see that as a real sign of strength in the party and a sign of deep eagerness across the whole team to get in and make this fight real,' he told the ABC.
Shoebridge was asked on Wednesday about his relationship with the Jewish community. He said the party had 'really strong connections with much of the Australian Jewish community here, working alongside Jewish Australians who are fighting a genocide.' He added: 'And we will continue to champion their voices, to be solid allies with them.' He urged the media to 'listen to their cries for justice like we do.'
Burns, who represents parts of Melbourne's Jewish community, called the response 'pretty shocking.' 'Instead of saying something that was unifying and acknowledging that everyone deserves to feel safe and to be included in the Australian political landscape, Senator Shoebridge decided to give an answer that said that he has relationships with some [who] agree with him on his perspective of the Middle East,' Burns said.