Australian Foreign Minister to Visit Israel and Palestinian Territories

Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles and Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong attend a press conference at Queensland Government House in Brisbane, Australia, on July 29, 2023. (Pat Hoelscher/AFP via Getty Images)

Foreign Minister Penny Wong is travelling to Israel, Jordan, Occupied Palestinian Territories, and the United Arab Emirates this week.

However, the trip has drawn some criticism from the federal opposition after it was revealed Ms. Wong will reportedly not be visiting the Oct. 7 massacre sites.

Instead, the foreign minister said she would be supporting “international diplomatic efforts” for durable peace in the Middle East.

In Israel, the foreign minister plans to meet with officials and families of hostages. While Ms. Wong supports the right of Israel to defend itself, but said its methods were important.

“In my engagement with officials in Israel, I will convey Australia’s support for Israel’s security and its right to defend itself in the face of terrorism, while stressing that the way it does so matters,” Ms. Wong said.

“I will reaffirm Australia’s call for the immediate and unconditional release of hostages and meet with the families of hostages and survivors of the terror attacks on October 7.”

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The minister plans to push for a way out of the war, along with more humanitarian aid and civilian protection.

“One hundred days since the October 7 terror attacks, I will use Australia’s voice to advocate for a pathway out of the current conflict, an increase in vital humanitarian assistance, upholding of international law and greater protection for civilians, preventing regional escalation, and working toward a lasting peace,” she said.

“As a bridge-builder, with a historic leadership position in the region, Jordan plays an important stabilising role in the current conflict. My visit to Amman is an opportunity to enhance coordination to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, and to discuss international efforts to re-start a political process that leads to a future Palestinian state.”

However, Shadow Immigration Minister Dan Tehan raised concerns Ms. Wong was not planning to visit the sites of the Hamas attack on Israel.

Terrorist group Hamas launched a strike on Israel on Oct. 7, killing more than 1,200 people in Israel and capturing hostages. This led to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declaring “we are at war.”

“She has to get the balance right and it’s very hard to see how she’s going to get the balance right if she doesn’t travel to the sites where those heinous Hamas massacres took place,” Mr. Tehan said on Sky News.

“So, I think the parliament will say to Penny Wong please take a little bit of extra time and go there, because it’s incredibly important on this mission that you get the balance right. It’s important for social cohesion back in Australia and I think she should take some extra time and make sure she visits those sites.”

PM Says Wong’s Itinerary ‘A Matter For Her’

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has stated that “Penny Wong’s itinerary is a matter for her,” noting he does not have a “precise itinerary” of all of his ministers.

However, he confirmed Ms. Wong would be meeting survivors and families of victims from the Oct. 7 terror attack in Jerusalem.

“She'll also be meeting with communities who’ve been impacted by settler violence in the Occupied Palestinian Territories,” Mr. Albanesse said on ABC radio.

“The foreign minister is travelling to the Middle East because quite clearly what’s occurring after the Hamas attack on innocent civilians in Israel, and then the devastation that we’ve seeing in Gaza is something that is of concern to the global community.”

Mr. Albanese reitereated that Australia was “not a central player” in the Middle East, but a “respected voice,” adding that the visit was about the country expressing its position, and for Ms. Wong to see the conflict zone firsthand.

Ms. Wong said she will be joined by Australia’s humanitarian coordinator on the trip and will  “discuss practical ways to support an increased and more effective flow of humanitarian assistance.”

“I will make clear Australia’s support for Palestinians’ right to self-determination and commitment to meeting humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank with officials in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. I will meet with representatives of communities affected by settler violence and reaffirm our view that settlements are illegal under international law,” she said.

Israel's Iron Dome anti-missile system intercepts rockets launched from the Gaza Strip, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, as seen from Ashkelon, Israel, on Jan. 1, 2024. (Amir Cohen/Reuters)

“I will also emphasise Australia’s opposition to the forcible displacement of Palestinians and our view that Gaza must no longer be used as a platform for terrorism.”

During her visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Ms. Wong will discuss Australia’s close friendship and negotiations on the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement. In December, the federal government revealed it would be starting trade talks with the UAE in the new year.

The foreign minister will also speak with defence personnel in the UAE who have played a “key role” in the return of Australians and recent unrest in Sudan.

“Australia is committed to working with partners toward a just and enduring peace in the form of a two-state solution, where Israelis and Palestinians can live securely within internationally recognised borders,” Ms. Wong said.