[ad_1] Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong has come under fire after she called for Israel to act with “restraint” in the face of an unprecedented a
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Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong has come under fire after she called for Israel to act with “restraint” in the face of an unprecedented attack by Palestinian militant group Hamas.
It comes as the Coalition hits out at Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for his delayed response to the events.
Hamas, recognised as a terrorist organisation by Australia, fired thousands of rockets into Israel on Saturday, catching the country – celebrating a religious holiday – by surprise.
Armed militants infiltrated towns, killing, injuring and kidnapping civilians.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared war, vowing his country would exact an “unprecedented price” for one of the deadliest attacks.
Israel retaliated by calling up reservists and launching airstrikes on Gaza, flattening several residential buildings.
World leaders and diplomats were quick to condemn the Palestinian attack, including Senator Wong.
“Australia unequivocally condemns the attacks on Israel by Hamas including indiscriminate rocket fire on cities and civilians,” she wrote on X – formerly known as Twitter.
“We call for these attacks to stop and recognise Israel’s right to defend itself.
“Australia urges the exercise of restraint and protection of civilian lives.”
But it was the last few words in Senator Wong’s statement that drew the ire of Opposition shadow frontbencher Michael Sukkar.
“Unbelievable, restraint? Israel has every right to defend itself with whatever force is required,” he said.
His words echoed that of Opposition Leader Peter Dutton, who wrote: “The Coalition utterly condemns the unprovoked and abhorrent attack by militant Hamas on Israel”.
“It is yet another example of a deliberate act of violence intended to inflict maximum harm on innocent civilians,” he said.
“The attack is a provocation. Israel has every right to defend itself in response and to deter future attacks and other acts of aggression, coercion, and interference.”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Sunday morning wrote on X that Australia “stands with our friend Israel in this time”.
“We condemn the indiscriminate attacks by Hamas on Israel, its cities and civilians. We recognise Israel’s right to defend itself,” he said.
Deputy Liberal Leader Sussan Ley was quick to call Mr Albanese out for his delayed response.
“It took him until 6am this morning to actually make a public statement about this. You don’t get nights off as a world leader and across the globe, we saw an immediate reaction from world leaders … and it took until this morning for Anthony Albanese to make that statement. I think he needs to be questioned about that today,” she told Sky News.
“I’m questioning his timing … You don’t get time off.”
Israeli media have reported about 250 deaths and more than 1500 injured by the Palestinian attack. Israel’s response has killed at least 232 people in Gaza and injured nearly 1700.
Dave Sharma, a former Liberal MP and Australian ambassador to Israel, on Sunday said the attack was “undoubtedly unprecedented”, made even worse by the failure of Israeli intelligence to identify the threat.
“Just as recently as last month the Israeli security establishment was declaring the situation there relatively stable. They did not have any warning of this,” Mr Sharma told Sky News.
“It took them quite a few hours to actually detect and then respond to this incursion. So there will need to be a lot of analysis and reflection about what has gone wrong.”
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