Tensions escalate between Israel and Australia following a contentious phone call between Foreign Ministers Penny Wong and Gideon Sa’ar. Sa’ar criticized Australia's stance on the Gaza war, accusing the government of distancing itself from Israel during a critical period. Wong, in turn, called for increased humanitarian aid to Gaza.
The strained relationship between Israel and Australia has reached new heights following a fiery confrontation between Foreign Minister Penny Wong and her Israel i counterpart. Gideon Sa’ar, the Israel i Foreign Minister, expressed frustration with Australia ’s response to the Gaza war during a phone call with Ms Wong on Wednesday. During the call, Mr Sa’ar accused the Albanese government of distancing itself from Israel during the Jewish state’s most difficult period.
According to Israeli media, Mr Sa’ar said: “Australia has chosen to distance itself from Israel in its most difficult year, when it has fought against its bitterest enemies.” He continued: “Israel is a Western democratic state that upholds the rule of law, has an independent judiciary, and adheres to international law. “In the past year, Israel has fought the radical axis led by Iran, which is supported by Russia and China.” Australia again calls on Israel to comply with the binding orders of the ICJ to enable the provision of basic services and humanitarian assistance at scale in Gaza. The newspaper reported Australia’s Foreign Minister as being “the most anti-Israel” member of the Albanese government. The verbal exchange then escalated as Ms Wong reportedly pressed for Jerusalem to provide further humanitarian aid to the citizens in Gaza. Mr Sa’ar insisted that Israel, not Palestine, was the true victim given the scale of the October 7 massacre orchestrated by Hamas. Israeli minister Ayelet Shaked said: “How would you react if we acted like this towards a former minister from Australia,” Mr Sa’ar asked. This clash is part of a broader deterioration in relations between Israel and Australia, fuelled by the Albanese government’s recent votes at the United Nations
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