In a contentious public debate on Sunday night, Allegra Spender, the Independent Member for Wentworth, reaffirmed her commitment to combatting antisemitism, emphasizing it as a top priority for her campaign.

Speaking to an audience of several hundred at a forum organized by Jewish community groups in the eastern suburbs of Sydney, Spender addressed accusations questioning her support for the Jewish community.

"I’ve been called an antisemite and worse," she stated, defending her record and asserting she is a strong ally to the Jewish community.

"You can count on me.

I am a friend of this community, and I will continue to be on your side whether you vote for me or not."

Spender's primary opponent, Liberal candidate Ro Knox, articulated a contrasting strategy.

Knox indicated that a Coalition government would terminate funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) and seek to strengthen ties with Israel.

Knox's comments came amid rising concerns regarding the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and its impact on domestic politics, particularly in Wentworth, which is home to Australia's largest Jewish population.

In the 2022 election, Jewish voters comprised approximately 16 percent of the electorate.

The forum marked the first public encounter between Spender and Knox amid a backdrop of heightened tensions resulting from the war in Gaza.

The debate also occurred following a legal threat from Spender against Knox regarding allegations that Spender's campaign team had deliberately obscured a campaign poster featuring a family kidnapped by Hamas.

Spender's team has since provided photographic evidence countering Knox's claims, prompting Spender to express disappointment over Knox's refusal to retract her accusation.

Knox maintained that she had received witness statements disputing the photographic evidence and acknowledged a legal letter from Spender's representatives, clarifying that she believed legal action was no longer in pursuit.

Following the forum, Spender reiterated her disappointment in Knox's stance despite the evidence presented.

The event was characterized by a mix of civility and tension, particularly when audience members raised concerns regarding funding policies related to UNRWA following allegations of staff involvement in Hamas's October 7 attacks.

Labor minister Matt Thistlethwaite also participated in the forum, defending the Albanese government’s choice to resume funding to UNRWA, asserting that it is essential for humanitarian aid in Gaza.

His comments drew mixed reactions from attendees, sparking audible dismay as he referred to UNRWA as "the only organisation that is providing food relief in Gaza." Thistlethwaite highlighted his moral obligation to prevent starvation, stating, "As a Christian, I can’t stand by and allow children to starve to death," which prompted applause from some audience members.

Conversely, Knox reiterated her strong opposition to funding UNRWA, citing the financial burden on taxpayers amid a cost-of-living crisis, proclaiming, "For us to be spending that on an organisation as compromised as UNRWA, it’s not good enough." In her defense, Spender mentioned her support for reallocating funding to alternative organizations, noting her previous outreach to Foreign Minister Penny Wong to redirect funds prior to the escalation of violence.

Reflecting on the political landscape, Spender secured her seat in 2022 with a 4.2 percent margin against former ambassador to Israel, Dave Sharma.

During the forum, she asserted her collaborative approach with both sides of parliament, referencing Opposition Leader Peter Dutton's willingness to engage with her as a partner in governance.

Knox challenged Spender's claimed independence, arguing that her voting record showed alignment with Labor and the Greens on a significant majority of legislation.

Spender countered these claims by highlighting her initiatives to introduce specific laws against hate speech, including antisemitism, which she noted had received rejection from the major parties.