Simple map shows why there are cracks at the highest level of Anthony Albanese's government over Israel-Hamas war - as PM and Penny Wong pull shock move at the UN

Anthony Albanese and Penny Wong's decision to vote in favour of a United Nations resolution calling for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict sparked fierce criticism from Israel and Jewish groups. 

But it should not have come as much of a surprise given the comments four neighbouring Labor frontbenchers have made about the conflict. 

Industry Minister Ed Husic, Leader of the House Tony Burke, Education Minister Jason Clare and Energy Minister Chris Bowen have each spoken sympathetically about the plight of Palestinians.

Some drew fire for veering from the government's position at the time. Each of the ministers represent neighbouring electorates with large Islamic communities in western Sydney.  

Australia's first Muslim minister Ed Husic represents the western Sydney community of Chifley, which takes in suburbs such as Quakers Hill, Riverstone and Schofields and was one of the first Labor MPs to veer from the party line.

Husic said in October that Palestinians were being 'collectively punished for Hamas' barbarism' by Israel. 

Cabinet Minister and Cowan MP Anne Aly, who is also Muslim, supported his comments, as did Labor Senate newcomer Fatima Payman. 

Education Minister Jason Clare was also reportedly petitioning senior ministers to be more sympathetic toward the Palestinian cause. His seat of Blaxland includes suburbs such as Merrylands and Auburn with large Muslim populations.

Mr Clare told News Corp: 'The plight of civilians in Gaza is heartbreaking. My community feels that more than most. 

'These aren't just dead bodies on the TV, for many in my community they are family.'

Industrial Relations Minister Tony Burke also seems to be reflecting the values of locals in his western Sydney electorate, Watson.

Mr Burke backed the Canterbury-Bankstown Council's decision to fly a Palestinian flag, has publicly attended memorials for Palestinian civilians and said his community was devastated by 'images of dead babies' coming out of Gaza.

His electorate represents some of the most diverse parts of Australia, incorporating Lakemba, Punchbowl and Bankstown.

During an interview with ABC Radio, Mr Burke was asked what he would say to people who described the situation as a 'genocide' against Palestine.

'I think your listeners will find their own words to be able to describe it,' he said.

Jewish Affairs Council executive director Colin Rubenstein slammed Mr Burke at the time, insisting he had 'crossed a line'.

Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-chief executive Alex Ryvchin said the interview was a clear example of how 'language matters and leadership matters', adding that the council 'expect better'.

'Genocide isn't a buzzword. It is the most heinous crime a nation can commit and involves the deliberate extermination of an ethnic group,' Mr Ryvchin said.

Energy Minister Chris Bowen, whose McMahon electorate has nearly 25,000 Muslim residents, recently said: 'Israel can only really be secure and free when Palestine is secure and free.'

'Ultimately, that is our long term objective.

'You can believe in the legitimate aspirations and rights of the Palestinian people without exonerating in any sense the heinous acts of Hamas and condemning those.'

Mr Bowen argued both Islamophobia and anti-Semitism in Australia should be 'equally condemned'. 

After months of Labor officially supporting Israel's right to defend itself, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Foreign Minister Penny Wong shocked some in the Labor caucus when they supported a UN call for a ceasefire.

Just six weeks ago, Australia abstained from a similar vote.  

But the government has been facing increased pressure from all sides of the debate. The Coalition and Jewish organisations have accused Labor of being soft on Hamas and not doing enough to condemn the October 7 terror attacks.

Meanwhile, the Greens and left-leaning sympathisers have called on the government to be stronger in its calls for restraint.

According to new reports, the pair did not widely consult their party before making this decision, which went against the position of our strongest ally, the United States.

The United Kingdom abstained from the vote. 

Jewish Liberal MP Julian Leeser slammed the government's support of the ceasefire recommendation, accusing them of trying to secure inner-city votes and showing 'weakness' over the crisis.

And Opposition Finance Spokeswoman Jane Hume argued: 'A ceasefire will only keep Hamas in power, able to rearm, reorganise and repeat the deliberate murders, rapes, beheadings and kidnapping of innocent people.'

While Senator Wong has argued this decision is in line with the government's long-held stance on the conflict, Jewish groups have argued it creates 'uncertainty and confusion' at a time when anti-Semitism in the community has already risen.

Israel's ambassador to Australia Amir Maimon said: 'I find it difficult to understand how Australia can support Israel's right to defend its people from terrorist aggression, while also voting in support of a ceasefire that will embolden Hamas and enable it to resume its attacks on Israelis.

'Australia's vote comes a day after Israel [was] returned the remains of two murdered hostages from Gaza, and rocket fire continued to rain down on southern Israel. This war can only end with Hamas being totally defeated and the liberation of all our hostages.'

Mr Albanese released a joint letter alongside Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Christopher Luxon in New Zealand conceding they are 'alarmed by the diminishing safe space for civilians in Gaza'.

'We recognise Israel's right to exist and right to defend itself. In defending itself, Israel must respect international humanitarian law. Civilians and civilian infrastructure must be protected,' the letter said.

Josh Burns, a Jewish backbencher who represents the Melbourne seat of Macnamara and one of the highest Jewish populations in the nation, recently returned from a trip to Israel where he reiterated his unwavering support for the nation and its response to the Hamas attack.

While there, he said 'any ceasefire cannot be one-sided and must be negotiated between the two parties'.

He's since said the UN ceasefire resolution would not solve the crisis.

'The only way out of this terrible situation is for the hostages to be released and for Hamas to be removed from power in Gaza.

'It won't end by wishing for it to happen.' 

Mr Burns' grandmother fled Nazi Germany and established a life in Australia. 

Matt Thisthlethwaite also represents a large Jewish population in Kingsford Smith in Sydney's east.

He has repeatedly said Australia stands with Israel and has condemned the October 7 Hamas attack.

But he supported the UN's push for a humanitarian ceasefire on Thursday, arguing the resolution still 'condemns the actions of Hamas'.

'The resolution makes clear that Australia undoubtedly condemns the actions of Hamas, calls for the immediate release of hostages and recognises Israel's right to defend itself,' he said.

'But in doing so it says humanitarian international law has to be upheld… We had the humanitarian pause that allowed aid, particularly food and water, to get into the region.

'We want to see that humanitarian pause instituted again so that aid can get back into the region.' 

The two other electorates with sizeable Jewish populations turned Teal in the last election - Zoe Daniels' Goldstein and Allegra Spender's Wentworth.