Israeli counterpart slams Wong
Sa’ar expressed frustration that Australia had weakened its support for Israel in international forums, and that Wong had mentioned Israel in the same context as Russia and China
In a heated exchange detailed by Israeli newspaper Israel Hayom, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar overnight accused Australia of distancing itself from Israel during its most challenging period of conflict.
According to the report, Sa’ar engaged in a tense telephone conversation with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, where he strongly criticised Australia’s diplomatic stance towards Israel.
Australia last week voted in favour of an “immediate ceasefire” in Gaza at the UN General Assembly and a motion condemning Israel’s banning of the UN Palestinian aid agency UNRWA. It was the latest in a series of foreign policy shifts distancing Australia from the only only democracy in the Middle East.
In the phone call, Sa’ar expressed frustration that Australia had weakened its support for Israel in international forums, particularly criticising Wong for recently mentioning Israel in the same context as Russia and China during the Hawke Oration in Adelaide last week.
Sa’ar said Israel is a “Western democratic state with the rule of law” that has been fighting a “radical axis led by Iran” over the past year.
The diplomatic tension was further escalated by Australia’s recent refusal to grant entry to former Israeli minister Ayelet Shaked, who was invited to an Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council strategic dialogue conference. Sa’ar questioned this decision, asking how Australia would react if Israel had similarly blocked an Australian former minister.
The report also highlighted Sa’ar’s concerns about antisemitic attacks in Australia, particularly the firebombing earlier this month of the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne.
“Israel expects decisive action from the Australian government,” Sa’ar was quoted as saying.
As spokesperson for the Australian Foreign Minister said the call was “direct but respectful”.
“Minister Wong spoke with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar to reiterate Australia’s concern about the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, the need for humanitarian assistance and our repeated calls for the release of all hostages,” the spokesperson said.
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