Penny Wong on mission to Israel, Middle East in coming weeks

Foreign Minister Penny Wong will travel to Israel in the coming weeks as Australia urges leaders to chart an end to the war in Gaza.

About 1000 people gathered at Moriah College on Thursday night for a vigil marking the two-month anniversary of the Hamas attacks. Picture: Vicki Lauren Photography

Penny Wong will visit Israel within a matter of weeks as the conflict with Hamas continues.

In a statement from the Foreign Minister’s office, a spokesperson confirmed an official visit would take place in the new year.

“Australia has been working with countries that have influence in the region to help protect and support civilians, to help prevent the conflict from spreading and to reinforce the need for the just and enduring peace that all of us want,” they said.

But the opposition has criticised the timing, claiming the visit should have happened much sooner.

Penny Wong will visit Israel. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

“We want to see it happen and we want to see it happen as quickly as possible,” Coalition foreign affairs spokesman Simon Birmingham told Sky News.

“But it really is a case that the Albanese government has taken a very long time to do this and far longer than comparable or like-minded nations.”

Senator Birmingham, who is leading a bipartisan ­delegation to Israel next week, also questioned why Prime Minister Anthony Albanese would not be joining Senator Wong on the visit.

Hamas’s cross-border attack on October 7 killed more than 1200 people and another 240 were taken hostage.

But continued bombardment by Israeli forces on Gaza have killed at least 17,000, according to figures released by the Gaza Health Ministry.

Australia has consistently supported Israel’s right to defend itself but argued the way it does so matters.

On Thursday, Senator Wong described the end of the week-long pause in hostilities as a “grave setback”.

Simon Birmingham said the visit did not come soon enough. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Assistant Foreign Affairs Minister Tim Watts will lay the groundwork for the ministerial dialogue when he travels to Israel, the Occupied Palestinian Territories, Qatar and Egypt next week.

Mr Watts will meet with victims of the Hamas attack, Israeli officials as well as members of the Palestinian Authority and UN representatives.

“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,” he said in a statement.

“We want to see continued steps towards a sustained ceasefire, but it cannot be one-sided.”

Senator Birmingham called the visit necessary after Israel updated its travel warnings for its citizens to Australia, citing rising levels of anti-Semitism.

The confirmation of the minister’s trip comes as 1000 people gathered at Moriah College in Sydney for a vigil marking the two-month anniversary of the Hamas attacks and the first night of Chanukah.

The gathering took place to mark the first night of Chanukah. Picture: Vicki Lauren Photography

Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-chief executive Alex Ryvchin told attendees they could not “control” or “reason” with those who spread hate against Jewish people.

“The power of our minds and the fullness of our hearts is no match for their stupidity,” he said.

“But you must accept that the price of being a Jew, the price of a Jewish state, the price of our survival and our victory is to be hated.

“It is a small price to pay for the greatest blessing we can receive. Live proudly as a Jew. Take strength and joy and meaning from its abundant beauty.

“Do not ask for the understanding of those who despise you.”