Penny Wong reiterates Australia’s support for Israel, calls for peace

Penny Wong has reasserted the federal government’s support for Israel and called for “enduring peace” in the Middle East.

Penny Wong has called on Hamas to release the hostages taken after its shock attack on Israel last weekend, describing the actions of the Palestinian militant group ‘heinous’.

Saturday’s surprise attack by Hamas killed more than 1200 Israelis, mostly civilians, and about 150 Israelis were kidnapped. The assault has led to counter strikes by Israel.

The Foreign Affairs Minister on Thursday again “unequivocally condemned” Hamas’ actions and reasserted the government’s belief in Israel’s right to defend itself.

“(These are) heinous attacks by Hamas,” she said.

“We have unequivocally condemned the attacks by Hamas. These are acts of terrorism.

“These are acts which must be condemned and I again reiterate: we stand with Israel and we recognise its right to defend itself.”

The Australian Government has secured two initial assisted-departure flights for Australians affected by the crisis in Israel & Gaza.

The flights from Ben Gurion Airport to London will start Friday for Australians who don't already have plans to leave through commercial options.

— Senator Penny Wong (@SenatorWong) October 11, 2023

She joined international calls for the hostages to be released.

“This has no place in today’s world,” she said.

“We have also witnessed a devastating loss of civilian life across both Israel and, of course, Gaza.

“Australia’s position is always to advocate for the protection of civilian lives in all contexts, and we do so again.”

She also called for a focus on “enduring peace” in the Middle East, and renewed her calls for restraint as Israel reportedly prepares to send 300,000 ground troops into Gaza.

“One of many tragedies of Hamas’ actions is it has pushed peace further away.”

The federal government has arranged three charter flights to evacuate Australians caught in the conflict to London.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong has repeated her stance that Israel has a right to defend itself but renewed calls for restraint ahead of a possible ground invasion of Gaza. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Israel has shut off food supplies into Gaza and on Monday Defence Minister Yoav Gallant announced a complete siege of the territory which is home to two million people, half of them children.

“We are imposing a complete siege on Gaza. There will be no electricity, no food, no fuel, everything will be closed,” he said.

“We are fighting human animals and we are acting accordingly.”

Israel is thought to be preparing a huge ground invasion of the Gaza Strip. (Photo by Alexi J. Rosenfeld/Getty Images)

Senator Wong was speaking at an event in Melbourne where she was honoured as the 2022 McKinnon Political Leader of the Year.

She is the first person to receive the honour more than once having previously won it in 2018.

In a wide-ranging discussion with Emerging Political Leader of the Year winner Dr Helen Haines, Senator Wong also spoke of her joy at seeing Cheng Lei reunited with her family.

Penny Wong welcomes journalist Cheng Lei back into Australia after over three years in Chinese detention. Picture: Twitter

The journalist returned to Australia on Wednesday after spending over three years in a Chinese prison.

Event host Patricia Karvelas asked how involved Senator Wong had been with Ms Cheng’s release

“I’m the Foreign Minister, what do you reckon?” Senator Wong said with a laugh.

“I was really happy to see her home.”

“It was certainly the best part of my week,” Karvelas agreed.

Dr Helen Haines MP, 2022 McKinnon Emerging Political Leader of the Year, threw her weight behind the Yes campaign at an event in Melbourne on Thursday. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Senator Wong and Dr Haines, the independent MP for the federal Victorian seat of Indi, used the event to speak once again at length for their support for the Yes vote in the Voice to parliament referendum.

Dr Haines said she was “staggered at the dearth of understanding” regarding the Voice in the community before urging people to “seek truth with your head not with your emotions”.

Senator Wong agreed, attacking the No campaign for spreading misinformation.

“I’ve worked in politics a long time and I haven’t seen it this bad ever,” she said before issuing a final rallying cry for the flagging Yes vote.

“Progress is always hard won, it is never given.”

With the country set to vote on Saturday, the No campaign is heavily favoured to be successful in recent opinion polls.