Israel-Australian relationship on the rocks after ‘deeply offensive’ visa ban

The Israeli foreign ministry has warned the nation’s relationship with Australia has taken a ‘negative’ turn after a former Israeli minister was barred from coming here.

Australia’s relationship with Israel is on the rocks as the Albanese government condoned the International Criminal Court’s pursuit of Benjamin Netanyahu over alleged war crimes in Gaza.

It comes after former Israeli minister Ayelet Shaked was barred from entering the Australia on character grounds — a move the Israeli Foreign Ministery said would damage the relationship between the two ally nations.

Despite the US and Israel condemning the ICC’s arrest warrants against Mr Netanyahu and former defence minister Yoav Gallant – with Mr Netanyahu dubbing it “anti-Semitism” – Foreign Minister Penny Wong said she “respected” the court’s independence.

Likewise, Hamas and its sponsor Iran were delighted. Hamas celebrated the decision, while ignoring that warrants were also issued for its war crimes, such as using civilians as human shields.

Ms Wong’s colleague and senior minister Ed Husic said the court was simply “doing its job” and he would “let the law run its course” on Netanyahu’s future.

Former Israeli Education Minister Naftali Bennett (l) and former justice minister Ayelet Shaked in 2018.

The warrants were issued alongside one for Hamas chief Ibrahim Al-Masri, also known as Mohammed Deif — a move US President Joe Biden blasted as equivalence between the terror group and the Jewish nation.

Australia/Israel Jewish Affairs Council executive director Colin Rubenstein described the ICC’s case against Mr Netanyahu as an “ideological witch hunt”.

“All Western governments should be looking closely at why the ICC has chosen to break the rules when it comes to Israel. Joe Biden and our Opposition took the correct approach,” he said.

“It’s a great pity our government didn’t adopt a similarly principled stance.”

Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-chief executive Alex Ryvchin said by accepting the ICC’s decision, the Albanese government was telling Australians “they could be next”.

“It is an attack on a democracy fighting a lawful and just war,” he said.

“By pursuing the leaders of a democracy, the ICC is telling our politicians and our servicemen and women that they could be next.

“Our government should realise that standing with Israel against this outrage isn’t just the right thing to do, it is in their own personal interests.”

Ed Husic said he was going to let the law run its course. Picture: Martin Ollman

The push against Labor’s position comes as Australia’s relationship with Israel took a “negative” turn, with Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Oren Marmorstein saying the decision to deny a visa to the country’s former minister Ayelet Shaked was “unacceptable”.

“The decision is deeply offensive and troubling, and will have a negative impact on Israel-Australia relations,” he wrote on X.

Mr Husic took a swipe at the Coalition — who said ICC did not have the jurisdiction to pursue democratically elected leaders — saying they cannot choose which law and order they follow.

“We respect international law and obviously these bodies need to be allowed to conduct their work in accordance with law,” he said.

“International humanitarian law means something to everyone and the way it’s enforced is important.

“I’m just going to let the law run its course.”

Foreign Minister Penny Wong. Picture: Martin Ollman

Earlier on Friday, Ms Wong wrote on social media that she “respects the independence of the ICC and its important role in upholding international law”.

“Civilians must be protected. Hostages must be released. Rapid, safe and unimpeded humanitarian relief must reach civilians. Aid workers must be protected to enable their lifesaving work,”

The moves mark a growing distinction between Labor and the Coalition’s positions on the Middle East — meaning Australian voters heading to the polls next year will have two very different choices on Gaza.

Coalition deputy leader Sussan Ley denounced the ICC’s decision as the “targeting of a democratically elected leader”.

“The ICC does not have jurisdiction over these matters. It’s a position that we all used to hold, it’s a position I expect the government to adhere to,” Ms Ley said.

“Australians would be troubled today to see this targeting of a democratically elected leader who is trying to protect his country from terrorists.”

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