Australia urges return to “diplomacy”

Australian Jewish leaders have supported Israel’s military actions to stop Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons, amid the Australian Government’s calls for de-escalation and a return to diplomacy.

Speaking in Canada outside the G7 summit on Monday, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he discussed the conflict with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, and remarked, “Both of us, I think, share a view wanting to see a de-escalation of conflict, wanting to prioritise dialogue and diplomacy.”

Similarly, acting Prime Minister Richard Marles commented on Monday, “We’re all deeply concerned about the potential for where this now goes in terms of escalation and broadening out into a wider conflict, and that’s why we are urging for diplomacy and dialogue in this moment.” Marles acknowledged that Israel has a “right to self-defence” but said, “We understand the risk that the Iranian nuclear and ballistic missile program represents, but right now the focus has to be on diplomacy and dialogue.”

Foreign Minister Penny Wong also said that Israel had a right to self-defence but urged restraint on ABC Insiders on Sunday.

“Israel has a right to self-defence… The question here is what do we do now? We know Iran is a threat. We know that its nuclear program poses a threat to international peace, and obviously to Israel. What do we do about it, and how do we respond in a way that lessens the risk of more civilians particularly in the region being brought into this conflict.”