Australia urges Israel to head international law, calls for ceasefire in Gaza, Lebanon

Australia Foreign Minister Penny Wong has urged Israel to comply with the binding orders of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to ensure the provision of critical humanitarian aid in Gaza. Addressing the UN General Assembly in New York on Friday, Wong emphasized the urgency of resolving the decades-long Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

“77 years later, that Palestinian state still does not exist” Wong stated, referring to the 1947 UN resolution for the creation of a Palestinian state, which has yet to be realized. She stressed that the international community could no longer afford to delay the establishment of a Palestinian state, asserting that it is essential to break the ongoing cycle of violence.

Wong also highlighted Australia’s recent actions against Israeli extremist settlers, noting that her country had sanctioned them and would deny visas to those identified as such. “Australia wants to engage on new ways to build momentum, including the role of the Security Council in setting a pathway for two states, with a clear timeline for the international declaration of Palestinian statehood,” she said.

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As violence escalates in the region, with over 700 people killed and thousands injured in Lebanon due to Israeli airstrikes, Wong reinforced Australia’s support for an immediate ceasefire in both Gaza and Lebanon. “A two-state solution is the only hope of breaking the endless cycle of violence—the only hope to see a secure and prosperous future for both peoples,” she added.

The international community has raised concerns that the ongoing conflict could spiral into a wider regional war, especially with Hezbollah and Israel engaged in cross-border fighting following Israel’s offensive in Gaza. Wong’s call for action comes as pressure mounts for the global community to intervene and prevent further escalation.