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@ Albo ‘s online war with anti-Israel trolls Anthony Albanese has long been a popular figure on social media, even before the 2022 election. But lurking among his 350,000 Instagram followers is a vocal and growing group of anti-Israel trolls who are hounding his every online move.
If he doesn’t have enough trouble with the pro-Palestinian members of his parliamentary caucus (and cabinet) challenging him over Israel, every post – from pics with beloved cartoon hero Bluey to cancer charity events – are being trolled and overtaken by hundreds of negative comments about the conflict in Gaza.
“Palestine children are our children. Stop with the distraction campaign. Stop the genocide,” was one of 235 comments posted under a photo of a child benefiting from the Redkite cancer charity at the weekend. It was then liked 50 times.
Since the beginning of the conflict last month, the trolling and negative comments have increased.
Engagement is up – comments have increased to an average of 300 per post and are predominantly negative, with the majority now dedicated to calling on Mr Albanese to demand a ceasefire in the Middle East.
“Are you taking the piss mate? Is this appropriate? 16 days of unrelenting genocide and you are taking holiday snaps. Your political base are screaming in the comments for you to do something helpful and you give them this cheesy photo,” said a comment with 419 likes under a photo of the PM in Washington last month.
The honeymoon is over with at least one of his celebrity followers too. Under a post published to promote his historic visit to China after his US State Visit, comedian Nazeem Hussain took the PM to task.
“Did you tell him (China’s premier Li Qiang) that China has a right to defend themselves against Uyghurs in concentration camps,” Hussain commented, chalking up more than 400 likes.
“Can you put one in Gaza?” asked a follower under a post regarding new Medicare urgent care clinics.
“Honey we see you deleting comments about Palestine,” another annotated a video interview where Albanese was explaining how the government is tackling the housing crisis.
“Read the room”, “delete this”, “tone deaf” and “cost of living?” are among some of the most common comments being...