Extraordinary diplomatic dressing down puts Australia-Jewish relations at all-time low

Australia has sparked a diplomatic flashpoint after the ­Albanese government hauled in Israel’s ambassador for a dressing down over his country’s war in the Middle East.

Exclusive: Australia has sparked a diplomatic flashpoint after the ­Albanese government hauled in Israel’s ambassador for a dressing down over his country’s war in the Middle East.

Israeli Ambassador Amir Maimon was formally summoned to a meeting in Canberra 10 days ago and warned that the Jewish state could not ­ expect Australia’s support if it goes to war against Hezbollah in Southern Lebanon.

In a sign of the deteriorating relationship between Australia and Israel, the federal government’s position on a potential war in Southern Lebanon was not delivered by Foreign Minister Penny Wong, but was left to Ms Wong’s underling, Assistant Minister Tim Watts.

Several people familiar with the situation said Mr Maimon’s relationship with Senator Wong has been “in the freezer” for several months.

Formally summoning an ambassador is considered a serious step in the diplomatic world, akin to a formal rebuke.

Israeli Ambassador Amir Maimon at the Embassy of Israel in Canberra last December. Picture: Martin Ollman

Tensions between Israel and the Iranian-backed Hezbollah, which Australia officially lists as a terrorist organisation, are at boiling point with fears tit-for-tat air strikes across the border are at danger of escalating into a full-scale war.

Since the current conflict began in the wake of Hamas’s horrific attack from Gaza last October, more than 60,000 Israelis have been forced to flee from northern Israel because of Hezbollah attacks.

The Daily Telegraph understands that in recent days ­Lebanon’s ambassador has also been summoned by the Albanese government and warned against any escalation.

Although it is represented in Lebanon’s parliament, the Lebanese government is generally regarded as having little influence over Hezbollah which is trained, funded and supplied by Iran.

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong meets Israel’s ambassador to Australia Amir Maimon in Israel in January. Picture: DFAT

The warning to Israel that it should not expect Australian support in the event of a ground war against Hezbollah is just the latest sign of the cooling of relations between Canberra and Jerusalem.

Israeli officials have made no secret of their anger at Australia’s recent vote in favour of upgrading Palestine’s status at the UN which came months after it appointed a Special Adviser to report on the Israeli government’s investigation of the killing by the IDF of Australian aid worker Zomi Frankcom and six of her World Central Kitchen colleagues.

Ms Wong and Mr Maimon and a tour guide at the Holocaust memorial centre Yad Vashem, in Jerusalem.

Mr Maimon with family members and representatives of Israelis who were kidnapped or murdered on October 7 at Parliament House in Canberra. Picture: NCA NewsWire

In recent days there have been mixed reports about the likelihood of a full-scale conflict in the Middle East.

Last week the head of Israel’s air force told an audience that fighting against Hamas in Gaza would end soon as it was close to defeat and that the IDF was ready for a conflict in the north with Hezbollah.

But in an earlier report in the New York Times, Israeli military leaders are said to have warned their government a truce with Hamas was a precondition for any war with Hezbollah, while on Tuesday Hezbollah’s deputy leader Sheikh Naim Kassem told Associated Press if there was a full ceasefire in Gaza “we will stop without any discussion”.

A spokeswoman for Foreign Minister Penny Wong said ministers, assistant ministers and DFAT officials regularly met with diplomats.

“Assistant Minister Watts expressed Australia’s concern about the risk of regional escalation,” she said.