Foreign Minister Senator Penny Wong departs Adelaide Airport on 15 January bound for the Middle East. Photo: DFAT.
Foreign Minister Senator Penny Wong will arrive in Jordan this afternoon (16 January) on the first leg of a wider visit to the region to support diplomatic peace efforts.
The visit comes as Israel continues its incursion into Gaza launched after the 7 October attacks by the Hamas terror group. Nearly three-and-a-half months later, there is no letting up on Israel’s efforts to root Hamas out of Gaza, despite an increasingly tragic civilian death toll and looming famine.
It also comes as Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen continue their missile and drone attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea, despite two strike missions by US and UK forces against Houthi targets in recent days.
While Australian personnel are working in the CENTCOM headquarters in Bahrain, which oversaw the strikes, the government has not committed warships to the international effort to thwart the Houthi’s attacks.
Senator Wong says she will restate “Australia’s support for Israel’s security and its right to defend itself in the face of terrorism while stressing that the way it does so matters”.
She said she will also call for the “immediate and unconditional release of hostages”. While in Israel, she will meet with the families of hostages and survivors of the 7 October terror attacks.
“One hundred days since the October 7 terror attacks, I will use Australia’s voice to advocate for a pathway out of the current conflict, an increase in vital humanitarian assistance, upholding of international law and greater protection for civilians, preventing regional escalation, and working toward a lasting peace,” she said.
“As a bridge-builder with a historic leadership position in the region, Jordan plays an important stabilising role in the current conflict.
“My visit to Amman is an opportunity to enhance coordination to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and to discuss international efforts to re-start a political process that leads to a future Palestinian state.”
Senator Wong says she will also make clear Australia’s support for Palestinians’ right to self-determination and its commitment to meeting humanitarian needs in Gaza and the West Bank with officials in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
“I will also emphasise Australia’s opposition to the forcible displacement of Palestinians and our view that Gaza must no longer be used as a platform for terrorism,” she said.
While she will meet with victims of the Hamas attacks, Senator Wong has been criticised by the Opposition and by elements of the media for not planning to visit the locations where these occurred.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has defended his Foreign Minister.
“It’s not about an opportunity for a photo op,” Mr Albanese told ABC Melbourne radio on 15 January. “People have seen the devastating impact as well. She’ll be talking first-hand with the people who’ve been impacted, both the survivors of that attack but also the families.”
After visiting Jordan and Israel, Senator Wong will also go to the UAE to meet with Australian Defence Force personnel.
“My visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will reaffirm our close friendship and welcome the commencement of negotiations on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement,” she said.
“The UAE is an important partner that plays a key role in regional security.
“My meetings with counterparts will be focused on preventing the conflict from spreading and the conditions needed to support a lasting peace and stability in the Middle East.”
Original Article published by Andrew McLaughlin on Riotact.
