Wong raises concerns over Lebanon conflict
Wong reiterated Australia's condemnation of Iran and its proxies' continued attacks across the region and discussed prospects for de-escalation
Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong expressed Australia’s grave concern at the expansion of the conflict in Lebanon and recent comments by an Israeli minister in a phone call with her Israeli counterpart Gideon Sa’ar on Wednesday.
Wong reiterated Australia’s condemnation of Iran and its proxies’ continued attacks across the region and discussed prospects for de-escalation.
“Iran’s weaponisation of the Strait of Hormuz, impacting oil and fuel prices worldwide, demonstrates the Iranian regime’s willingness to inflict economic pain on households and businesses across the world,” Wong said.
“Australia wants to see critical energy supplies flow to our partners and our region.”
Wong said Australia was gravely concerned at the expansion of the conflict in Lebanon, the loss of life and displacement of more than one million civilians.
“We discussed Hezbollah’s continued strikes on Israel and agreed they must disarm in line with previous agreements,” she said.
“Australia supports Lebanon’s sovereignty — so we do not want to see occupation of southern Lebanon by Israel.”
Wong said Australia again calls for parties to adhere to international humanitarian law and for the protection of civilians and aid workers.
She raised Australia’s concerns over recent unacceptable comments made by Israeli minister Bezalel Smotrich and escalating settler violence in the West Bank.
Australia continues to press Israel for the return of Australian diplomats to Ramallah.
Wong said Australia supported the implementation of the US-led Gaza peace plan, and both countries want to see progress on the peace plan and the disarmament of Hamas.
Sa’ar emphasised the massive scale of missile, rocket and drone attacks against Israel from Lebanon.
“Israel is acting to defend its communities and citizens,” Sa’ar wrote on social media.
“I described the reality of life these days in our northern communities, to which residents returned after over a year in which they didn’t live in their homes.”
Sa’ar said most international media outlets were portraying the situation on only one side of the border, and the Lebanese government was not taking practical steps against Hezbollah.
He welcomed the arrival of Australia’s new ambassador to Israel, Neil Hawkins, and expressed gratitude for the swift acceptance of the credentials of Israeli ambassador to Australia Hillel Newman.
Israel has carried out massive airstrikes in Lebanon and pushed troops farther into the country after Hezbollah renewed its rocket attacks on Israel on March 2 amid the bombing campaign that the US and Israel launched in Iran on February 28.