Dreyfus heads to Israel this week in high-stakes trip

Mark Dreyfus’ mission to salvage relations with Israel is “as important as it will be difficult”, an Australian Jewish group is warning.

Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus, the son of a Holocaust survivor, is heading to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories this week in a high stakes bid to repair Canberra’s relationship with its closest Middle East ally.

Relations between the Albanese and Netanyahu governments plummeted in 2024 after a spate of anti-Semitic incidents in Australia’s biggest cities – a trend that has continued into 2025.

The incidents have come against a backdrop of repeated calls from the Albanese government for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, where Israel is waging a casualty-heavy war.

The Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ) has welcomed news of Mr Dreyfus’ visit but warned it was “as important as it will be difficult”.

“Australia has no more reliable friend and partner in the Middle East than Israel, and there is no country in the Middle East whose values are more aligned with Australia’s than Israel,” co-chief executive Peter Wertheim said on Tuesday.

“So the Attorney-General’s mission is as important as it will be difficult.”

Mr Wertheim put the strained ties down to “policy changes and actions of the Australian government since 2022” that have departed from “long-held bipartisan positions”.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused the Albanese government of taking an ‘extreme anti-Israeli position’. Picture: Maya Alleruzzo / POOL / AFP

Foreign Minister Penny Wong has been a vocal supporter of a ceasefire in Gaza.

She has also advocated for a “clear timeline” for Palestinian statehood and lumped Israel in with Russia and China in a call for countries to follow international law.

The latter was brought up in a fiery phone call with her Israeli counterpart in December.

The call came after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused the Albanese government of taking an “extreme anti-Israeli position”, claiming it was partly responsible for the firebombing of a Melbourne synagogue.

“Australian Jews and I believe most Australians want to see the Australia-Israel relationship get back to where it was because it has been mutually beneficial at many levels,” Mr Wertheim said.

“We can only wish the Attorney-General success in his mission, but the government’s recent policy settings will make this challenging to say the least.”

Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus is heading to Israel this week. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Mr Dreyfus, Labor’s most senior Jewish MP, earlier gave details on his trip.

He said it was “to demonstrate Australia’s longstanding friendship with the Israeli people and our commitment to peace in the Middle East”.

“On this trip, I will reiterate Australia’s demand for the immediate and unconditional release of all remaining hostages held by Hamas, our support for a ceasefire as endorsed by the United Nations Security Council, increased humanitarian access to Gaza and for international law to be upheld,” he said.

“I will restate Australia’s longstanding position that peace in the Middle East can only be achieved through a two-state solution – with Israelis and Palestinians living securely and prosperously within internationally recognised borders.”

The war in Gaza has killed north of 46,000 people, according to local health officials.

Independent analysis has put the figure as high as 64,260.

Nearly the entire population of Gaza has been displaced, with around two million people facing famine and rampant disease as supplies trickle in.

Israel launched its military campaign in the Palestinian territory after Hamas, the Islamist group that runs it, killed more than 1200 in its October 7 terrorist attacks in 2023.

Hundreds more were taken hostage.

The deaths represent that largest loss of Jewish life since the Holocaust.

Witnesses detailed horrific instances of sexual violence and entire families being slaughtered.

Much of the brutality was captured in videos that flooded social media.

Since October 7, Hamas’ allies in the region have rallied behind it, with Islamist group Hezbollah in Lebanon bombarding northern Israel with rockets.

Despite the devastation in Gaza, Hamas’ all-but decapitated leadership has said it would repeat the attack if given the chance.

Relations between the Albanese and Netanyahu governments plummeted in 2024 after a spate of anti-Semitic incidents in Australia’s biggest cities. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

“In my meetings with Israeli officials I will convey Australia’s support for Israel’s security and its right to defend itself in the face of terrorism,” Mr Dreyfus said.

“I will also visit the Occupied Palestinian Territories and make clear Australia’s support for Palestinians’ right to self-determination and commitment to meeting humanitarian needs in Gaza and the West Bank.”

Mr Dreyfus was due to visit Israel in October last year to mark the anniversary of Hamas’ October 7 terrorist attacks but cancelled after Iran launched a barrage of missiles.

Outgoing US President Joe Biden said on Monday (local time) Israel and Hamas were “on the brink” of finalising a ceasefire and release deal for the remaining 94 hostages.

“In the war between Israel and Hamas, we’re on the brink of a proposal that I laid out in detail months ago finally coming to fruition,” Mr Biden said.

“I have learned in many years of public service to never, never, never ever give up.”