Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar expressed dissatisfaction with Australia’s position, saying the country had distanced itself from Israel in its “most difficult year”. This was reported by the Israeli newspaper Israel Hayom.
Saar had a telephone conversation with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong on Tuesday. During the conversation, the harsh rhetoric between countries that arose after the votes in the UN General Assembly was discussed. According to the publication, Wong accused Israel of insufficient humanitarian assistance to Palestinians in Gaza. This led to a tense dispute between diplomats.
The Herald Sun reported that a phone call between the foreign ministers of Australia and Israel to find ways to work together turned into a “heated war of words”, according to sources.
Saar denied Australia’s accusations. He recalled the Hamas attack on October 7 in southern Israel. “Australia has decided to distance itself from Israel in its most difficult year, when we were fighting sworn enemies,” Saar told a colleague, according to Israel Hayom.
Spokeswoman Penny Wong described the conversation as “direct but respectful.” Wong stressed Australia’s commitment to combating anti-Semitism and hatred in all its forms.
Australia has changed its vote on Israel-related resolutions in recent months. Canberra has backed documents condemning Israel’s recent decision to ban the UN Relief Agency for Palestinians (UNRWA). Australia also called for an “immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire” in Gaza.
Australia’s representative to the UN, James Larsen, explained that the government does not support all provisions of the resolution, but believes it is important that UNRWA continues its “vital work”.
Earlier, in early December, Australia joined 156 countries, including the UK and Canada, in voting for Israel’s withdrawal from the “occupied Palestinian territories”. The US and Israel opposed this resolution.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu strongly condemned Australia’s position. He said Albanese’s government was “extremely anti-Israel.” On social media X, he linked these actions to the burning of a synagogue in Melbourne, calling the events “inseparable.”
In December, Wong responded to criticism of Israel. She said that demanding that Israel comply with international law is not anti-Semitism. “We expect Israel to comply with international law, like all countries,” the minister emphasized.
She added that demanding the protection of children and civilians or calling for a two-state solution is not anti-Semitism.
Saar, in turn, noted that Israel is a Western democracy that respects international law. He also accused Wong of comparing Israel to Russia and China in the context of violating international norms.
Wong previously said: “We expect the Russian Federation to stop its illegal war against Ukraine. We expect China to comply with international law decisions in the South China Sea. We also expect Israel to follow international norms.”
Sa’ar also addressed Australia’s refusal to issue a visa to former Israeli government minister Ayelet Shaked. She planned to come to the country to give lectures.
Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said Shaked’s visit would undermine social cohesion. “If someone comes here to humiliate people, we can do without it,” Burke said.
He added that Shaked had expressed “horrible” opinions about Palestinians, including statements where she called children in Gaza “snakes.”
Penny Wong’s reaction to these allegations is not yet known.
Cursor previously wrote that Ayelet Shaked told why she was not allowed into Australia.