Key Points
- The Coalition says Labor's decision to send a low-ranking minister to Israel reflects poorly.
- Assistant foreign minister Tim Watts will travel to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories next week.
- A cross-party delegation of federal politicians will visit Israel next week.
The federal Opposition says Labor's decision to dispatch a junior minister to Israel, rather than Prime Minister Anthony Albanese or Foreign Minister Penny Wong, "reflects poorly" on its approach to a key friend.
Coalition foreign affairs spokesman Simon Birmingham, who will travel to Israel next week as part of a cross-party delegation, has demanded Albanese follow a host of world leaders by travelling to Israel to offer support over a deadly attack .
But in a statement after Birmingham's trip was made public, assistant foreign minister Tim Watts revealed he will become the first Australian government representative to visit Israel since the attack, in which roughly 1200 Israelis were killed and about 240 hostages taken, according to the Israeli government.
Assistant foreign minister Tim Watts, who is not a cabinet member, will become the first Australian government representative to travel to Israel since Hamas' attack. Source: AAP / James Ross
An Opposition spokesperson insisted Labor had acted "belatedly" and only after his own visit was confirmed, saying the decision to dispatch a low-ranking minister - Watts is not a cabinet member - sent a poor message to Israel.
"Whilst a government representative is a positive step, sending the most junior representative compares poorly to Australia's partners and allies who have sent presidents, prime ministers, foreign and defence ministers," he said in a statement.
Simon Birmingham, who will travel to Israel next week, says the decision reflects poorly on the government's approach to Israel. Source: AAP / Mick Tsikas
Watts' trip will also include a visit to the occupied Palestinian territories, where he will meet with the Palestinian Authority and senior UN representatives.
A UN commission of inquiry found in 2022 the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territory was unlawful. Then-Israeli prime minister Yair Lapid disputed the claim.
More than 16,000 Palestinians in the densely-populated Gaza Strip have been killed by Israeli bombardments, which resumed earlier this week after a temporary pause, since 7 October, according to authorities in Gaza.
Neither Anthony Albanese or Penny Wong have visited Israel since the 7 October attacks. Source: AAP / Lukas Coch
"I will continue Australia’s advocacy for a just and enduring peace through a two-state solution, and discuss the next steps in a political process toward that goal. We want to see continued steps towards a sustained ceasefire, but it cannot be one-sided," Watts said.
Birmingham says Albanese government 'out of step' with allies
US President Joe Biden, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, and French President Emmanuel Macron are among a host of world leaders to have visited Israel since the 7 October attacks.
Hours before Watts' trip was made public, Birmingham told SBS News that the Albanese government was "out of step" with its key allies.
"The Albanese government should have done, as so many of our international partners and allies have, sent a minister, if not the Prime Minister," he said.
"I welcome the fact that this is a bipartisan delegation. I respect and welcome very much the Labor backbenchers who are participating in it. But the Albanese government should also have the government-to-government dialogue that other nations have done."
Birmingham said his delegation - funded by the Australia Israel & Jewish Affairs Council (AIJAC) - will also meet with officials from the Palestinian Authority but would be "making clear our support for Israel".
A government source said Watts had already planned to travel to Egypt and Qatar next week, and the decision was made to involve him when the AIJAC trip was organised.
He will be a part of the delegation meeting with the Israeli government and the Palestinian Authority.
The group is expected to make the trip for several days and will also include Labor backbencher Josh Burns and other Liberal and Labor MPs.
The Greens are not taking part in the trip.
"[We support Israel's] inherent right to self-defence, the condemnation of what occurred on 7 October by Hamas, and the expectations that international laws are respected and that, wherever possible, innocent lives are protected," Birmingham said.
Albanese says he has engaged with Israel authorities
Neither the prime minister nor Foreign Minister Penny Wong has announced plans for a diplomatic visit to Israel.
telling reporters that Israel was not secure and that his "priority was to engage".
"I've engaged, I have met personally with the Israeli ambassador, I had him to my residence, and had discussions with leaders of the Palestinian community, leaders of the Jewish community here in Australia."
Both Albanese and Wong have joined Western leaders in showing support for Israel's right to defend itself, while repeatedly
