Foreign Minister Penny Wong fears ‘regional escalation’ following killing of Hezbollah leader
Foreign Minister Penny Wong says a two-state solution between Palestine and Israel is the “only pathway” to peace in the Middle East, with the conflict in Gaza and Lebanon at threat of further “regional escalation”.
She said the involvement of Hezbollah, a Lebanese Islamist militant group and Iranian proxy, would risk further conflict.
Tensions have risen again after Hezbollah leader Hazzan Nasrallah was killed in an Israeli air strike in southern Beirut on Saturday.
“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,” she told Sky News Sunday Agenda after her speech to the UN’s general assembly in New York.
“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.”
Camera IconForeign Minister Penny Wong said all parties needed to end the ‘continued retribution’. NewsWire/ Martin Ollman Credit: News Corp Australia
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.
This comes after she called on the United Nations to set a “clear timeline” to end the conflict in Gaza, offering Australia’s assistance to help “contribute to new ways to break the cycle of conflict”.
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.
“I would say to Israel, we want you to listen to the international community. It is true that Hezbollah is a terrorist organisation. It is true that they have not been complying with UN Security Council resolutions, but we see the horrific loss of life in Gaza. We see 11,000 children killed,” she said.
“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.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Saturday (September 28) that the killing of Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah was a historical turning point that could change the balance of power in the Middle East though he warned of ‘challenging days’ ahead.
Asked whether Labor’s advocacy for a two-state solution indicated to a “clear partisan” stance on foreign affairs, Senator Wong said Mr 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.”
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