Penny Wong vows to continue ceasefire push after ‘heated’ phone call with Israeli foreign minister Gideon Sa’ar

After Gideon Sa’ar accused Australia of weakening its support for the Jewish state, Penny Wong defended Australia’s position on Gaza.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar has had a heated verbal clash with Penny Wong.

A defiant Penny Wong has vowed to keep advocating for a ceasefire in Gaza after a heated phone call with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar during which he accused Australia of weakening its support for the Jewish state in its darkest hour.

Israeli media said the conversation between Mr Sa’ar and his Australian counterpart on Tuesday turned into a “sharp verbal clash”, while Senator’s Wong’s office described the call as “direct but respectful”.

Senator Wong tackled Mr Sa’ar on the “humanitarian ­catastrophe” in Gaza, prompting a testy response.

The Israel Hayom newspaper, which described Senator Wong as Australia's “most anti-Israel” minister, said Mr Sa’ar complained that Australia had downgraded its support for ­Israel “in its most difficult year, when it has fought against its bitterest enemies”.

After ­arriving in Ukraine on Wednesday, Senator Wong defended Australia’s position on the Israel-Hamas war.

Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar. Picture: Michal Cizek / AFP

“Australia, alongside the United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand, Japan and many other countries have been calling for a ceasefire, for the release of hostages and for the provision of aid into Gaza,’’ she said in Kyiv.

“That is the position we have been articulating, and that’s the position that I reflected to the ­Israeli Foreign Minister.

“What I would say is this: we hope there will be a ceasefire soon, which enables the release of hostages and the aid to flow into Gaza, because we know that the humanitarian catastrophe is so great.’’

Penny Wong in Kyiv. Picture: Mazoe Ford

Mr Sa’ar reportedly condemned Senator Wong for her move last week to compare democratic ­Israel with the dictatorships of China and Russia.

“Israel is a Western democracy that maintains the rule of law, has an independent ­judiciary and adheres to inter­national law. In the past year, ­Israel has fought the radical axis led by Iran, which is supported by Russia and China,” Mr Sa’ar ­reportedly said.

He also demanded action by the Albanese government over the torching of Melbourne’s Adass Israel Synagogue, and protested Labor’s denial of a visa for former Israeli justice minister Ayelet Shaked on character grounds.

“How would you react if we acted like this towards a former minister from Australia?” Mr Sa’ar reportedly said.

Senator Wong’s office earlier said the minister had reiterated to Mr Sa’ar “Australia’s concern about the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, the need for ­humanitarian assistance and our repeated calls for the release of all hostages (held by Hamas)”.

“Minister Wong also noted that Australia’s position reflected that of many other countries. She conveyed Australia’s commitment to countering anti-Semitism and hate in all forms,” her spokeswoman said. “It was a direct but respectful call.”

The call came just over a week after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused the Albanese government of taking an “extreme anti-Israeli position”, which had fuelled anti-Semitism in Australia.

Penny Wong walks with Israel's Ambassador to Australia Amir Maimon during an October 7th vigil at the Israeli Embassy in Canberra. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Labor’s relationship with ­Israel and the Australian Jewish community has been strained to breaking point amid support by the Albanese government for pro-Palestine resolutions at the UN, and its foreshadowing of formal Australian recognition of a Palestinian state.

Israel is also furious at Australia’s refusal to repudiate an International Criminal Court ­arrest warrant for Mr Netanyahu.

Senator Wong stoked Israeli outrage over her call on October 8 last year for the country to show “restraint” in its response to Hamas’ attack.

But sources said the breakdown was not in the same league as that between Israel and ­Ireland. Israel this week announced the closure of its embassy in Dublin.

Amid rumours of a breakthrough in Gaza ceasefire talks, Senator Wong said: “It is very welcome news that there is progress.

“We are deeply concerned, as are many countries, about the catastrophic humanitarian situation and so, of course, we are willing to step up to provide ­assistance. A ceasefire would also enable the return of the hostages who are still being held by Hamas a year after the horrific attacks.”

Around 96 hostages are still being held by Hamas in Gaza, ­although only 62 or so are believed to be alive. The proposed deal, brokered by the United States, Qatar and Egypt, would allow for the release of half of the hostages in an initial two-month stage of a ceasefire, while Israel would release hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. A component of the ceasefire would involve “hugely ­increased” aid to Gaza.

Speaking in Kyiv, Senator Wong said she was privileged to be in Ukraine, arriving at a “pivotal and critical” moment in the war against Ukraine.

During talks with Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha and Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko she announced the reopening of the Australian embassy in Kyiv. “The Albanese government has always said we would reopen our embassy in Kyiv when it is safe to do so. I was pleased to ­announce we are reopening the embassy,’’ Senator Wong said afterwards. “From next month, Australia’s ambassador as well as our deputy head of mission will return to Kyiv.”

Australia will also provide $66m to the European Bank of Reconstruction and Development to assist with Ukrainian recovery efforts, $10m for the Ukraine Energy Support Fund to provide heat and electricity, and $80,000 for Save Ukraine – a community organisation for vulnerable families.