Mark Dreyfus plans to visit southern Israel amid fence-mending trip

The Attorney-General’s first day in Israel was spent in Jerusalem, with deputy PM Yariv Levin, as part of efforts to improve fractured relations with the Netanyahu government.

Israel deputy prime minister Yariv Levin and Mark Dreyfus in Israel. Picture: X

Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus plans to visit southern Israeli communities devastated by the October 7 attacks by Hamas militants, unlike Foreign Minister Penny Wong who avoided the area during her trip to Israel a year ago.

The Attorney-General spent his first day in Israel as part of the Albanese government’s attempt to improve the fractured relationship with the Netanyahu government in Jerusalem meeting his counterpart Justice Minister Yariv Levin.

Mr Dreyfus also met two relatives of Israelis held hostage by Hamas in Gaza, saying in a social media post that they “speak for all of us when they demand the return of all hostages to their families. The ceasefire must make that a reality.”

But Mr Dreyfus’s visit has been overshadowed by the announcement of the long awaited ceasefire and hostage deal between Hamas and Israel during one of the most strained periods in the 65-year history of Australia-Israel relations.

On Wednesday, hours before the highly-anticipated hostage release deal was finalised, Mr Dreyfus met with Mr Levin – who is also Deputy Prime Minister – where a spokesperson said the pair discussed the “long and enduring relationship between Australia and Israel, state of the war including progress in current ceasefire/hostage negotiations and humanitarian conditions in Gaza.”

In a statement before the meeting, Mr Dreyfus underscored Australia’s enduring friendship with Israel, while advocating for the immediate release of hostages, a ceasefire, increased humanitarian aid to Gaza, and a two-state solution. “I will reiterate Australia’s demand for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages, our support for a ceasefire, and increased humanitarian access to Gaza,” he said.

Australian Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus with Ella and Daniel in Tel Aviv. Both had family members taken as hostages by Hamas terrorists on 7 October 2023. Picture: X

His trip marks exactly one year since Foreign Minister Penny Wong’s controversial visit to Israel, a diplomatic encounter that left many in Israel questioning Australia’s commitment to its longstanding ally. “Australia-Israel relations are at the lowest point I have seen them,” said Senator Dave Sharma, a former Australian Ambassador to Israel.

Australia’s historically close ties with Israel have deteriorated significantly since October 7, exacerbated by the Albanese government’s attitude towards Israel’s actions in their war against Hamas in Gaza, including the civilian death toll and for their humanitarian response.

Under Senator Wong, Australia has supported UN resolutions condemning Israeli settlements, reinstated the term “Occupied Palestinian Territories” and called for Israel to cease its “unlawful presence” in those territories.

These moves have sparked backlash from Israeli leaders, who view them as a significant policy shift and led to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu late last year attacking the Albanese government’s position on Palestine that he warned was fuelling anti-Semitism back in Australia.

On Thursday, Mr Albanese refused to say if he would be personally reaching out to Mr Netanyahu to help repair relations between the two countries, Mr Albanese said: “I have no issue with Australia-Israel relations. They remain, in my view, strong.”

Senator Sharma criticised the Albanese government’s response to the October 7 Hamas attacks as “shameful,” accusing it of failing to adequately support Israel’s efforts to defend itself and secure the release of hostages.

Alex Ryvchin, co-chief executive of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, emphasised the importance of combating anti-Semitism to restore Israel’s trust. “It is crucial for Australia to take decisive action against antisemitism for Israelis to view us as allies once again,” he said.

Gabrielle Briner is a Tel Aviv-based writer