‘Lowest ebb in decades’: Wong blasted over Israel clash

Penny Wong’s angry phone call with Israel’s foreign minister signifies a new low, a shadow minister says.

Opposition home affairs spokesman James Paterson says the heated phone call between Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong and her Israeli counterpart, Gideon Sa’ar, shows the relationship has hit its “lowest ebb in decades”.

It came after Israel media reported on Wednesday that Mr Sa’ar had blasted Senator Wong during a phone call on Tuesday aimed at finding a way to work together.

“The Australian minister, who is among the most anti-Israeli in her party, accused Israel of not doing enough humanitarian work for the Arabs of Gaza,” Israel’s Hayom newspaper reported.

Mr Sa’ar is said to have interjected by saying that Israel was the one that was attacked on October 7.

Senator Penny Wong at Stansted airport talking about the Vanuatu earthquake. Picture: Jacquelin Magnay

Senator Wong earlier responded to claims she was involved in a “sharp verbal clash” with Mr Sa’ar.

Senator Wong made her comments in Kyiv, where she reopened Australia’s foreign embassy in Ukraine nearly three years after it was shut down.

She said Australia and the UK have “been calling for a ceasefire and a release of hostages and for the provision of aid into Gaza”.

“Australia has chosen to distance itself from Israel in its most difficult year, when it has fought against its bitterest enemies,” Mr Saar said, according to the outlet.

He is also said to have expressed disappointment over Australia’s weakened support for Israel and Ms Wong’s comparison last week of Israel to the dictatorships of China and Russia.

Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar. Picture: Getty Images

“Israel is a Western democratic state that upholds the rule of law, has an independent judiciary, and adheres to international law,” Mr Sa’ar reportedly said.

Hayom reports he added: “In the past year, Israel has fought the radical axis led by Iran, which is supported by Russia and China.”

Israeli military forces cross the fence to and from the buffer zone with Syria, near the Druze village of Majdal Shams in the Israel-annexed Golan Heights. Picture: AFP

Mr Sa’ar apparently also protested Australia’s refusal to grant former minister Ayelet Shaked a visa a few weeks ago.

“How would you react if we acted like this towards a former minister from Australia?,” he reportedly said.

Israel’s Foreign Minister is also said to have expressed concern about the terror attack on Melbourne’s Adass synagogue.

“Israel expects decisive action on this issue from the Australian government,” he said, according to Hayom.

Ms Wong’s office has characterised the phone call with her Israeli counterpart as “direct, but respectful”, counteracting reports by Israel’s media the conversation was more “heated”.

It is understood Ms Wong and Mr Sa’ar exchanged cordial messages and agreed to stay in touch following their phone conversation on Tuesday, which was initially reported as a “sharp verbal clash” by Hayom.

A spokeswoman for Ms Wong said the Australian foreign minister had spoken to Mr 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”.

“Minister Wong also noted that Australia’s position reflected that of many other countries,” the spokeswoman said.

“She conveyed Australia’s commitment to countering antisemitism and hate in all forms. It was a direct but respectful call where ministers explained their perspectives.

Originally published as ‘Lowest ebb in decades’: Wong blasted over Israel clash