Australia says Israeli government ‘rejects’ two-state solution, slaps sanctions on senior ministers

Australia’s top diplomat is tight-lipped on a key Israel question after slapping sanctions on two senior ministers.

Australia’s top diplomat is tight-lipped on whether the Albanese government mulled over including the Israeli Prime Minister in sanctions targeting senior members of Benjamin Netanyahu’s government.

Australia overnight joined Canada, New Zealand, Norway and the UK in slapping travel bans and financial blocks on Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich “for inciting violence against Palestinians in the West Bank”.

The move has been slammed by Israel and the US.

Fronting media in Canberra on Wednesday, Foreign Minister Penny Wong said it was “clear that the Netanyahu government rejects” a two-state solution.

“This is the only outcome which keeps faith with the imperative of the existence of Israel and its long-term security that fulfils also the world’s promise to the Palestinian people, and that enables two peoples to live in peace,” Senator Wong told reporters.

“It strengthens the force for peace and undermines extremism, and it is the opposite of what Hamas wants.

“We know that Hamas can have no role in a future Palestinian state.

“We believe a two-state solution is the only way to end the cycle of violence, and regrettably, it is also clear that the Netanyahu government rejects it.”

Foreign Minister Penny Wong says it is ‘clear’ the Israeli government ‘rejects’ a two-state solution. Picture: NewsWire / Joseph Olbrycht-Palmer

She pointed to the “devastating military campaign in Gaza, civilians being killed by the thousands, children starving”.

“And it is also clear from policies including rampant settlement construction and impunity for settler violence in the West Bank,” she said.

“Like Israel’s military expansion in Gaza, illegal settlements and impunity for settler violence in the West Bank are extinguishing the prospects of a two-state solution”.

Senator Wong somewhat dodged when asked if Mr Netanyahu himself was considered as a potential target for penalties.

She said the Albanese government targeted the two Israeli ministers because they were “certainly the most extreme”, adding that she would not “speculate about the approach” to protesting the activities of Australia’s Middle East ally.

“We maintain our position that we think two states which is not supported by the Netanyahu government still remains the only viable path to peace and security for both Israelis and Palestinians,” Senator Wong said.

Israel launched its military action in Gaza after Hamas – the Palestinian Islamist group that runs the strip – launched its unprecedented October 7 assault in 2023.

Militants killed some 1200 men, women and children and took hundreds more hostage.

The Israeli military has killed tens of thousands of civilians in its 20-month mission to wipe out Hamas, according to independent monitors.

The entire population is also facing famine and rampant disease due to Israel’s stranglehold on desperately needed aid.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is facing mounting international pressure to let more aid into Gaza. Picture: Abir Sultan/Pool / AP

The US has condemned Wednesday’s sanctions, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio saying they “do not advance US-led efforts to achieve a ceasefire, bring all hostages home, and end the war”.

“We reject any notion of equivalence,” Mr Rubio said.

“Hamas is a terrorist organisation that committed unspeakable atrocities, continues to hold innocent civilians hostage and prevents the people of Gaza from living in peace.

“We remind our partners not to forget who the real enemy is.

“The United States urges the reversal of the sanctions and stands shoulder to shoulder with Israel.”

Anthony Albanese has downplayed the US response as “predictable”.

“We have engaged and put forward in a very clear and direct way to the Israeli government, including a one-on-one conversation that I had with the president of Israel, President Herzog, on the sidelines in Rome that I had just weeks ago,” the Prime Minister told the ABC.

“We have continued to express our concern about humanitarian issues in Gaza.”

‘Extreme rhetoric’

Foreign ministers of the sanctioning countries announced the move in a joint statement overnight, saying Mr Ben-Gvir and Mr Smotrich had fuelled settler violence through “extreme rhetoric” and undermined efforts for a two-state solution.

“Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich have incited extremist violence and serious abuses of Palestinian human rights,” the statement said.

“Extremist rhetoric advocating the forced displacement of Palestinians and the creation of new Israeli settlements is appalling and dangerous.

“These actions are not acceptable.

“We have engaged the Israeli government on this issue extensively, yet violent perpetrators continue to act with encouragement and impunity.”

The foreign ministers called on the Israeli government to “uphold its obligations under international law and we call on it to take meaningful action to end extremist, violent and expansionist rhetoric”.

Australia is among several Western countries sanctioning Israeli ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir (left) and Bezalel Smotrich (right). Picture: Abir Sultan / Pool / AFP

The sanctions took effect on Wednesday and came after the Israeli government announced last month that it would build nearly two dozen new settlements in the West Bank along a key highway connecting Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.

It also said it would legalise some settlements built in the Palestinian territory without the green light from the government.

Both Mr Ben-Gvir and Mr Smotrich are also known for their hard-line stances on Gaza.

Mr Ben-Gvir has backed forced migration of Palestinians from the war-torn strip.

In their statement, the Western foreign ministers said the sanctions “do not deviate from our unwavering support for Israel’s security and we continue to condemn the horrific terror attacks of 7 October by Hamas”.

“Today’s measures are targeted towards individuals who in our view undermine Israel’s own security and its standing in the world,” they said.

“We continue to want a strong friendship with the people of Israel based on our shared ties, values and commitment to their security and future.”

But they added the action “cannot be seen in isolation from the catastrophe in Gaza”.

Much of Gaza has been reduced to rubble after Israel’s 20-month-long mission to wipe out Hamas. Picture: Omar Al-Qattaa / AFP

“We continue to be appalled by the immense suffering of civilians, including the denial of essential aid,” the foreign ministers said.

“There must be no unlawful transfer of Palestinians from Gaza or within the West Bank, nor any reduction in the territory of the Gaza Strip.

“We will continue to work with the Israeli government and a range of partners.

“We will strive to ensure an immediate ceasefire, the release now of the remaining hostages and for the unhindered flow of humanitarian aid including food.

“We want to see a reconstructed Gaza no longer run by Hamas and a political pathway to a two-state solution.”

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar has slammed the move, saying it was “outrageous that elected representatives and members of the government are subjected to this kind of measures”.

“I discussed it earlier today with Prime Minister Netanyahu, and we will hold a special government meeting early next week to decide on our response to this unacceptable decision,” Mr Sa’ar told media.

Originally published as Australia says Israeli government ‘rejects’ two-state solution, slaps sanctions on senior ministers