Foreign Minister Penny Wong criticised over calling for a two-state solution timeline between Israel and Palestine
The Foreign Minister has been accused of “playing domestic politics” over her calls for a “clear timeline” on when Israel and Palestine could reach a two-state solution.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong has been accused of “playing domestic politics” and “trashing” Australia’s bipartisan position on peace in the Middle East, as fears grow of a regional escalation in unrest.
There are concerns Lebanon-based Hezbollah’s involvement in the conflict could increase the risks of further “regional escalation” following Israel’s strikes against the militant group.
Speaking to the United Nation’s General Assembly on Saturday, Senator Wong called for the Security Council to set a “clear timeline” on the international declaration of Palestinian statehood, and offered Australia’s assistance on “new ways to build momentum”.
She also said there needed to be an immediate ceasefire in Lebanon and Gaza, with tensions rising again after Hezbollah leader Hazzan Nasrallah was killed in an Israeli air strike in southern Beirut on Saturday.
However, Nationals senator Bridget McKenzie has questioned Senator Wong’s approach, and said the timeline for a two-state solution was “playing domestic politics with a very, very serious situation”.
“The reality is that Hezbollah is incredibly active on that Lebanese-Israeli border, continually attacking Israel,” Senator McKenzie told ABC.
“She’s trashing our decades long bipartisan approach to a negotiated two-state solution in the Middle East.
“She’s actually wanting to recognise the state of Palestine before we’ve negotiated a settlement, and she’s calling for timelines to be put in place before conditions for settlement.”
Reiterating the Coalition’s stance that Israeli had the right to “self-defence,” Senator McKenzie said agreements needed to be made between Israel and Palestine.
“Now the conditions for settlement at the very minimum are to stop the war, (for Hamas) return the (Israeli) hostages and for Hamas to surrender. That should be the absolute precursors before any ceasefire or (for) the war to end there,” she said.
“For our Foreign Minister to put timelines in place really opens the gate for those terrorist organisations to essentially run down the clock.”
Speaking to Sky News after her speech to the General Assembly, Senator Wong said the involvement of Hezbollah, a Lebanese Islamist militant group and Iranian proxy, would risk further conflict and said there needed to be de-escalation and restraint in order to prevent further loss of life.
“I think there’s a lot of points of regional escalation people have been worried about. Obviously, Lebanon is one.”
“There is always the risk of even further escalation. We’ve been concerned about that for a long time, as have others in the international community, and we’ve been engaging with all the parties we can to urge de escalation and restraint.”
She also called for the end to the “cycle of violence”.
“The end game should be peace and security in the region, peace and security for Israelis,” she said.
“That will require a two-state solution that is the only pathway to long term peace and security for both Israelis and for Palestinians.”
Senator Wong called on the Israel Netanyahu government to “listen to the international community”.
She said while she understood its security position, she called for de-escalation and restraint in order to prevent further loss of life and regional escalation.
She said all parties needed to end the violence and follow international rules of law, stating Hamas needed to release Israeli hostages, and Israel “must comply with the binding orders of the International Court of Justice”.
Australia, as well as the US and the United Kingdom have backed a ceasefire in Lebanon, following renewed tensions between the Israeli government and Hezbollah terrorist militants.
“The world does not want to see more civilian deaths. We have to find a different way to deal with the with the legitimate issues of concern in relation to the border,” she said.
Asked whether Labor’s advocacy for a two-state solution indicated to a “clear partisan” stance on foreign affairs, Senator Wong said Opposition Leader Peter Dutton “should remember Australia (is a) country that prides ourself on our respect for the rule of law”.
“That has to apply internationally as well. That is why it is appropriate for Australia to talk about the need to protect civilians,” she said.
“I think the support for the existence of the State of Israel, which is bipartisan, does not mean we walk away from supporting international humanitarian law.”
Earlier on Sky, former deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce said while he wanted a two-state solution, he said there needed to be a “peaceful solution” which was negotiated by “rational, calm and moderate people,” and not terrorist organisations, naming Hamas and Hezbollah whose goal was to “remove Israel from the map”.
“We don’t have that at the moment. We don’t have that in terrorist organisations, but I’m sure in that when that opportunity arises,” he said.
“That’s what everybody wants. That’s unequivocal across all parties. We want peace and want to see this.”
Originally published as Foreign Minister Penny Wong criticised over calling for a two-state solution timeline between Israel and Palestine
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