Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong has lashed out at the Greens for spreading what she called “misinformation to enable division” following a tense exchange during Senate estimates over the fate of more than 400 Palestinians granted Australian visas to leave Gaza and the West Bank.
Clash Over Visa Process
The Foreign Minister was grilled on Thursday about conditions imposed by Israel and coordination between Australia and COGAT, the Israeli Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories. Greens Senator David Shoebridge claimed COGAT had posted on Facebook instructing Palestinians using the “third country exit mechanism” to contact their embassy to request withdrawal from the Israeli agency.
Senator Wong countered that the process was far more complex than simply sending a fax, involving precise coordination for transit through Israel. “It is wrong to assert that in an environment such as this, that a single request to COGAT is all that is required … it’s not right for you to say all you have to do is fax a form, that is not the nature of these transits,” she said.
Accusations of Division
Senator Wong went on to condemn what she described as “incorrect assertions that you (Senator Shoebridge) make in order to foment division.” She added, “Really, in the context of what we have seen in this country, maybe it's time the Greens actually tried to work to bring people together rather than divide people. You see political benefit in division, and you’re happy to use misinformation to enable that division. It is unfair for you to use people’s grief and people’s anger and people’s pain by suggesting all the government has to do is send a fax.”
She accused Senator Shoebridge of “peddling false hope” and described his behaviour as “unconscionable.” Despite the clash, Senator Wong reaffirmed her support for a two-state solution. “The world is not as we wish it to be. We wish there were two states, and we wish there was peace. We wish the people of Palestine were able to live in security behind agreed borders, and there was peace with the people of Israel. We all wish – well, I wish that,” she said.
Details of Visa Process
The hearing revealed that the Australian government consulted with various agencies on the departure of Australian citizens, permanent residents, and immediate family members from Gaza, with 415 people having left so far. A departmental official explained that a list of departees was compiled and sent by post to officials in Amman, Jordan. Once approved, it was forwarded to COGAT in Tel Aviv via post. Israel then reviews the list and advises a movement date from Gaza. Australia coordinates with a “UN organisation or like-minded country” for logistics, and arrivals in Jordan have 72 hours to depart.
Senator Shoebridge condemned Israel’s actions in the West Bank and Gaza and accused the government of exporting parts for F-35 warplanes used in bombing the Gaza Strip. He claimed Senator Wong had “deliberately misheard” his questions.
Flotilla Abuse Concerns
Senator Wong also addressed concerns about the treatment of Australians on a flotilla that attempted to deliver aid to Gaza last month, after Israel’s far-right national security minister posted a video showing detained activists. “We were deeply alarmed by reports of his treatment while Australians were in detention,” Senator Wong said, calling for an “urgent investigation.” She noted the government would “rather an investigation that is transparent than no investigation” and would keep pressing for one. She described the actions of Itamar Ben-Gvir, the Israeli minister already sanctioned by Australia, as “unconscionable.”
DFAT’s Fiona Webster said officials contacted Australians on the flotilla more than 190 times between April and May and made over 20 representations to Israeli authorities. “Those alleged instances of mistreatment, as publicly reported, were violence against members of the group and also sexual assault … we take these allegations extremely seriously,” she said. Ms. Webster added that officials at the airport heard “screams” but could not see their source due to a screen.
Palestine Ambassador Stalled
Senator Shoebridge also questioned the government’s failure to appoint a Palestinian ambassador, despite recognising Palestine last year. Former ambassador to Israel Ralph King said Australia had set “clear expectations” for reform of the Palestinian Authority, including public commitment to recognising Israel’s right to exist, calling on Hamas to disarm, and commitment to fresh elections. The last presidential election in the Palestinian Territories was in 2005. The PA also needed to reform governance and financial transparency and abolish payments to families of prisoners and martyrs.
“Some progress on that has been made, but we remain in dialogue and for the time being, we are not satisfied that sufficient actions have been done on that promised material,” Dr. King said. Senator Wong added that Australia could not resolve Middle East strife but could “contribute towards breaking the cycle of violence” through a two-state solution. “There are commitments that the Palestinian Authority has made … we are tying progress on practical implementation of recognition to progress against those commitments, including the setting up of diplomatic missions. But we are not simply sitting and waiting. We understand that we need to do work with others to build the capacity of the Palestinian Authority for strong and credible governance, that is essential to building peace. We are working with the UK and Canada on this,” she said.
