Pro-Palestinian protesters descend on Canberra as Foreign Minister Penny Wong visits Israel, Palestine

Hundreds of pro-Palestine demonstrators have stormed Canberra as Foreign Minister Penny Wong begins her mission to Israel.

Hundreds of protesters have gathered at Australia’s Israel and United States embassies in support for opposing sides of the Israel-Palestine conflict.

The event in Canberra marks just over 100 days since the conflict began and falls on the day Foreign Minister Penny Wong began her week-long peace mission to Israel.

The “Convoy to Canberra” protesters demanded an immediate ceasefire, the lifting of the “siege of Gaza” and immediate unimpeded entry of humanitarian aid.

They also asked for an end to the Israeli “occupation” of Palestine and the end of US financial, military and diplomatic support for Israel as part of the demonstration.

About 200 protesters travelled from across the country to protest outside the US and Israel. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

After visiting the US and Israel embassies, protesters then moved to the South African embassy – where they presented High Commissioner Marthinus van Schalkwyk and his wife with flowers.

Co-organiser Nemer Abushamha said the protesters were demanding justice for Palestinian people.

“Israel’s actions in Gaza amount to the crime of genocide, as they demonstrate an “intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group,” they said.

“We demand justice for the Palestinian people – their right to self-determination and to live in freedom, dignity and with equality.”

Protesters also voiced their support for South Africa, after the country launched an ICJ case. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Senator Wong departed for a week-long peace mission to the Middle East to visit Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories, as well as Jordan and the United Arab Emirates.

More than 100 days on from Hamas’ October 7 terrorist attacks on Southern Israel, the Foreign Minister’s decision not to visit the sites of the atrocities, where 1200 Israelis were killed and 240 were taken hostage, has drawn ire from the opposition and the Australian-Jewish community alike.

The Coalition’s foreign affairs spokesman, Simon Birmingham – who visited the sites during a visit last month – said Senator Wong’s visit to Israel was “half hearted” and further showcased Labor’s confusing stance on the ongoing war.

He said the glaring hole in Senator Wong’s itinerary would deprive her of a true appreciation of the atrocities committed by Hamas.

“Senator Wong’s visit to Israel and the Middle East is a serious case of better late than never, while the program being undertaken appears half-hearted,” he said.

Senator Birmingham said Senator Wong’s Israel visit was ‘half hearted’. Picture: Martin Ollman/NCA NewsWire.

“Senator Wong will no doubt hear of frustration at the increasingly confusing stance of the Albanese Government, which has said one thing about disabling Hamas but voted in contradictory ways at the UN.”

The executive council of Australian Jewry, said Senator Wong’s decision to “intentionally bypass” the sites of the massacres was a “serious error of judgment”.

“Personally inspecting the south and witnessing the carnage and destruction would not only convey Australia’s support, it is essential to understanding the depth of evil that Israel faces and the necessity of its war to defeat Hamas,” co-chief executives Peter Wertheim and Alex Ryvchin said.

“We frequently hear about the depth of the alliance between the two countries and the long history of solidarity between Australian Labor and the people of Israel. This is the time to show that this is more than mere words.”

Firm words & stern finger pointing are not enough. The international community needs to attach consequences for settlers and Israeli authorities of continued illegal settlement activity. Visa bans and other measures.

Australia should also investigate if tax deductible vehicles…

— Julian Hill MP (@JulianHillMP) January 14, 2024

Senator Wong will meet with families of Israeli hostages and Palestinian victims of settler violence as tensions continue to escalate in the Middle East.

She will also visit Oman, Jordan and the United Arab Emirates where the minister will hold talks with her counterparts.

The Foreign Minister will use the trip, which marks the first made by a senior Australian government official since war broke out on October 7, to advocate for a pathway out of the conflict in Gaza and for steps towards a sustainable ceasefire.

“Australia is not a central player in the Middle East, but we are a respected voice – we are a part of the international diplomatic effort reinforcing the imperative of a lasting peace,” Senator Wong said in a statement.

Israel’s military campaign against Hamas has killed more than 23,000 Palestinians since October 7, according to Gaza health officials. Picture: AFP.

“One hundred days since the October 7 terror attacks, this visit is about advocating for a pathway out of this conflict.”

But she has been criticised for failing to confirm if she will travel to the southern Israeli towns where the October 7 attacks occurred.

Asked why she won’t visit the sites by reporters before she departed, Senator Wong reiterated she would be meeting with survivors and families of the hostages.

“That will be important,“ she said in a press conference on Monday.

“I think all of these meetings are about engaging with a wide cross section of perspectives and parties in the region.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Senator Wong’s travel itinerary was a “matter for her”.

Zionist Federation of Australia president Jeremy Leibler said a visit to “ground zero” would have been an “important show of solidarity with Israel and Jewish Australians”.

“This decision comes at a time when Australia’s position must be strengthened. The UK, US, Canada and Germanyhave all backed Israel against the appalling and baseless genocide allegations, yet Australia has been silent,” he said.

Sunday marked 100 days since the terrorist group Hamas killed 1,200 Israelis and took another 240 hostage. Picture: AFP/

“By remaining silent on the International Court of Justice case, and now refusing to visit the sites of the Hamas massacre, Australia is sending the wrong message.”

The ICJ, the United Nation’s top court, last week heard opening arguments in legal action brought by South Africa to determine whether Israel had committed genocide in Gaza.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has declined to reveal Australia’s position on the legal action, insisting it would be “not appropriate” to comment on matters before the ICJ.

Mr Albanese said Australia was not, nor did it intent to be, a participant in the process.

“What we want is to see a political solution … Arising out of this conflict, we need to have a pathway to security and peace and prosperity in the region. That's the main game. Not any court case,” he said.

The criticism comes as a Labor backbencher called on Australia to take a firmer stance against Israeli settler activity in the West Bank.

Victorian MP Julian Hill said the government must take stronger action including making it illegal for Australians to fund settlement activity.

“Firm words & stern finger pointing are not enough,” he tweeted on Monday morning.

“The international community needs to attach consequences for settlers and Israeli authorities of continued illegal settlement activity. Visa bans and other measures.

“Australia should also investigate if tax deductible vehicles can funnel money to support West Bank settler activity, and consider making it illegal for Australians to fund settlement activity.”

Senator Wong was backed by Mr Albanese when asked about her trip to Israel. (Photo by HILARY WARDHAUGH / AFP)

Senator Wong’s trip comes just days after Australia supported the United States and United Kingdom’s air strikes on Yemen in retaliation for Houthi rebel attacks in the Red Sea.

The Iranian-backed rebels have launched 27 attacks on commercial vessels in the crucial trade route since mid-November – a response to Israel’s bombardment of Gaza.

The Red Sea is one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world. It links the Mediterranean Sea and the Suez Canal to the Indian Ocean.

Mr Albanese last week accused Iran of “meddling” and playing a “destructive role” in the conflict.

Asked on Monday if Australia would offer further support for the US-led mission, Mr Albanese said his government had already provided “the help that is required”.

“We always give proper and considered analysis and act in Australia’s national interest and that’s been the basis of our support up to this point,” he said.

“Of course our concentration is on the Indo-Pacific, which is something that is supported by our allies.”

Originally published as Pro-Palestinian protesters descend on Canberra as Foreign Minister Penny Wong visits Israel, Palestine