Albanese Government's accused of 'huge inconsistency' over ‘unprecedented' decision to impose sanctions on two Israeli government ministers
The Albanese Government is facing questions over its 'unprecedented' decision to impose sanctions on members of a democratically elected government.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong revealed on Tuesday that Australia was one of five Western countries imposing sanctions on Israel's National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich.
The Albanese Government is joining the governments of Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and Norway in using Magnitsky-style laws to freeze the assets of the two MPs, who are accused of encouraging settler violence towards Palestinians in the West Bank.
Ben-Gvir and Smotrich represent hardline, pro-settler parties on the fringe of Israeli politics, but they have gained prominent positions in the current coalition government led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Speaking to Sky News Australia on Wednesday, veteran press gallery journalist Chris Uhlmann said the use of the sanctions was 'unprecedented'.
Uhlmann said support for Israel's right to defend itself did not mean people had to agree with everything the Netanyahu government does, particularly not the 'most extreme voices' in the government, but that Smotrich and Ben-Gvir were still part of a 'democratically elected government'.
'I don't think that we have ever imposed sanctions on a democratic government's ministers before,' Uhlmann said.
'And it does open this particular problem for our government, which is consistency.
'If this is to be the approach, where are the sanctions against the Chinese ministers who are responsible for the treatment of the Uyghurs in Xinjiang province, where a UN committee decided that that constituted crimes against humanity… people working in slave labour.'
'If you're going to open this door and sanction governments for their treatment, particularly of Muslim populations, where's the consistency and where is the Australian Government's statement on Chinese ministers and sanctions against them?
'There's a huge inconsistency here.'
The veteran journalist said the decision also raised questions about how the government could separate the actions of members of Netanyahu's government from Netanyahu himself.
'These ministers support his government - his government would be extremely fragile without them,' he said.
'So how can you separate the leader of the government from his ministers on this and just say, 'Well, no, we're just targeting this part and not the rest'.
'You're opening a very, very wide door now, and it does have consequences.'
In announcing the sanctions, Foreign Minister Wong said the two Israeli ministers had 'incited extremist violence and serious abuses of Palestinian human rights'.
'Extremist rhetoric advocating the forced displacement of Palestinians and the creation of new Israeli settlements is appalling and dangerous. These actions are not acceptable,' Minister Wong said.
The sanctions have been condemned by the United States, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio stating that the sanctions 'do not advance US-led efforts to achieve a ceasefire, bring all hostages home, and end the war.'
Magnitsky-style laws – which allow the government to target individual members of foreign governments – were introduced by the previous Coalition government in 2021.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Advertiser
2 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Aid staff killed in Gaza ambush Israel blames on Hamas
Israel has accused Hamas militants of killing five Palestinians who worked for the US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation in an apparent effort to disrupt their food distribution operations. GHF said in a statement that one of its buses was ambushed late on Wednesday as it headed to an aid centre near the southern city of Khan Younis, carrying local men who worked alongside a US team to deliver critical supplies. "Hamas murdered five humanitarian workers from the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation with others being kidnapped," said COGAT, the Israeli defence agency that coordinates humanitarian matters with the Palestinians. "The international community can not ignore Hamas's crimes against humanitarian workers." Hamas declined to comment on the shootings. Social media channels in Gaza said Hamas had targeted the bus because it was allegedly carrying people affiliated with Yasser Abu Shabab, the leader of a large clan which has challenged Hamas's supremacy in the enclave and is being armed by Israel. Elsewhere in Gaza, the local health authority said at least 30 Palestinians had been killed by Israeli gunfire and airstrikes on Thursday, as the small coastal enclave continued to be roiled by violence and destruction. The IDF said it had killed three militants who fired an anti-tank missile towards Israeli soldiers. It also said it had arrested several Hamas members in Syria overnight, accusing them of planning to attack Israeli civilians and IDF forces. Israel has fought for more than 20 months to eliminate Hamas after it launched deadly attacks October 7, 2023 that ignited the war. All efforts to end the conflict through negotiations have failed. Despite the bus attack, GHF said it was continuing its distribution efforts on Thursday, handing out food boxes early at one of its sites, before shutting its gates there. The GHF has handed out more than 16 million meals since it started operations in Gaza at the end of May, overseeing a new model of food distribution which the United Nations says is neither impartial nor neutral. Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry says more than 160 people have been killed by Israeli fire near the aid centres, as the aid effort repeatedly degenerated into chaos and terror with ravenous locals scrabbling for limited supplies. "This model will not address the deepening hunger. The dystopian 'Hunger Games' cannot become the new reality," Philippe Lazzarini, the chief of the UN Palestinian refugee agency (UNRWA), wrote on X. "The UN including @UNRWA have the knowledge, expertise & community trust to provide dignified & safe assistance. Just let the humanitarians do their jobs," he added. Israel has repeatedly called for UNRWA to be disbanded, accusing it of having ties with Hamas. UNRWA has denied this. Besides the GHF distribution effort, Israel is also letting into Gaza trucks carrying flour for the handful of bakeries that are still operating. For the first time in months, Israel allowed humanitarian trucks to enter northern Gaza directly overnight - with 56 trucks carrying supplies from the UN's World Food Programme crossing into the largely devastated region. Israel has accused Hamas militants of killing five Palestinians who worked for the US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation in an apparent effort to disrupt their food distribution operations. GHF said in a statement that one of its buses was ambushed late on Wednesday as it headed to an aid centre near the southern city of Khan Younis, carrying local men who worked alongside a US team to deliver critical supplies. "Hamas murdered five humanitarian workers from the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation with others being kidnapped," said COGAT, the Israeli defence agency that coordinates humanitarian matters with the Palestinians. "The international community can not ignore Hamas's crimes against humanitarian workers." Hamas declined to comment on the shootings. Social media channels in Gaza said Hamas had targeted the bus because it was allegedly carrying people affiliated with Yasser Abu Shabab, the leader of a large clan which has challenged Hamas's supremacy in the enclave and is being armed by Israel. Elsewhere in Gaza, the local health authority said at least 30 Palestinians had been killed by Israeli gunfire and airstrikes on Thursday, as the small coastal enclave continued to be roiled by violence and destruction. The IDF said it had killed three militants who fired an anti-tank missile towards Israeli soldiers. It also said it had arrested several Hamas members in Syria overnight, accusing them of planning to attack Israeli civilians and IDF forces. Israel has fought for more than 20 months to eliminate Hamas after it launched deadly attacks October 7, 2023 that ignited the war. All efforts to end the conflict through negotiations have failed. Despite the bus attack, GHF said it was continuing its distribution efforts on Thursday, handing out food boxes early at one of its sites, before shutting its gates there. The GHF has handed out more than 16 million meals since it started operations in Gaza at the end of May, overseeing a new model of food distribution which the United Nations says is neither impartial nor neutral. Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry says more than 160 people have been killed by Israeli fire near the aid centres, as the aid effort repeatedly degenerated into chaos and terror with ravenous locals scrabbling for limited supplies. "This model will not address the deepening hunger. The dystopian 'Hunger Games' cannot become the new reality," Philippe Lazzarini, the chief of the UN Palestinian refugee agency (UNRWA), wrote on X. "The UN including @UNRWA have the knowledge, expertise & community trust to provide dignified & safe assistance. Just let the humanitarians do their jobs," he added. Israel has repeatedly called for UNRWA to be disbanded, accusing it of having ties with Hamas. UNRWA has denied this. Besides the GHF distribution effort, Israel is also letting into Gaza trucks carrying flour for the handful of bakeries that are still operating. For the first time in months, Israel allowed humanitarian trucks to enter northern Gaza directly overnight - with 56 trucks carrying supplies from the UN's World Food Programme crossing into the largely devastated region. Israel has accused Hamas militants of killing five Palestinians who worked for the US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation in an apparent effort to disrupt their food distribution operations. GHF said in a statement that one of its buses was ambushed late on Wednesday as it headed to an aid centre near the southern city of Khan Younis, carrying local men who worked alongside a US team to deliver critical supplies. "Hamas murdered five humanitarian workers from the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation with others being kidnapped," said COGAT, the Israeli defence agency that coordinates humanitarian matters with the Palestinians. "The international community can not ignore Hamas's crimes against humanitarian workers." Hamas declined to comment on the shootings. Social media channels in Gaza said Hamas had targeted the bus because it was allegedly carrying people affiliated with Yasser Abu Shabab, the leader of a large clan which has challenged Hamas's supremacy in the enclave and is being armed by Israel. Elsewhere in Gaza, the local health authority said at least 30 Palestinians had been killed by Israeli gunfire and airstrikes on Thursday, as the small coastal enclave continued to be roiled by violence and destruction. The IDF said it had killed three militants who fired an anti-tank missile towards Israeli soldiers. It also said it had arrested several Hamas members in Syria overnight, accusing them of planning to attack Israeli civilians and IDF forces. Israel has fought for more than 20 months to eliminate Hamas after it launched deadly attacks October 7, 2023 that ignited the war. All efforts to end the conflict through negotiations have failed. Despite the bus attack, GHF said it was continuing its distribution efforts on Thursday, handing out food boxes early at one of its sites, before shutting its gates there. The GHF has handed out more than 16 million meals since it started operations in Gaza at the end of May, overseeing a new model of food distribution which the United Nations says is neither impartial nor neutral. Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry says more than 160 people have been killed by Israeli fire near the aid centres, as the aid effort repeatedly degenerated into chaos and terror with ravenous locals scrabbling for limited supplies. "This model will not address the deepening hunger. The dystopian 'Hunger Games' cannot become the new reality," Philippe Lazzarini, the chief of the UN Palestinian refugee agency (UNRWA), wrote on X. "The UN including @UNRWA have the knowledge, expertise & community trust to provide dignified & safe assistance. Just let the humanitarians do their jobs," he added. Israel has repeatedly called for UNRWA to be disbanded, accusing it of having ties with Hamas. UNRWA has denied this. Besides the GHF distribution effort, Israel is also letting into Gaza trucks carrying flour for the handful of bakeries that are still operating. For the first time in months, Israel allowed humanitarian trucks to enter northern Gaza directly overnight - with 56 trucks carrying supplies from the UN's World Food Programme crossing into the largely devastated region. Israel has accused Hamas militants of killing five Palestinians who worked for the US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation in an apparent effort to disrupt their food distribution operations. GHF said in a statement that one of its buses was ambushed late on Wednesday as it headed to an aid centre near the southern city of Khan Younis, carrying local men who worked alongside a US team to deliver critical supplies. "Hamas murdered five humanitarian workers from the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation with others being kidnapped," said COGAT, the Israeli defence agency that coordinates humanitarian matters with the Palestinians. "The international community can not ignore Hamas's crimes against humanitarian workers." Hamas declined to comment on the shootings. Social media channels in Gaza said Hamas had targeted the bus because it was allegedly carrying people affiliated with Yasser Abu Shabab, the leader of a large clan which has challenged Hamas's supremacy in the enclave and is being armed by Israel. Elsewhere in Gaza, the local health authority said at least 30 Palestinians had been killed by Israeli gunfire and airstrikes on Thursday, as the small coastal enclave continued to be roiled by violence and destruction. The IDF said it had killed three militants who fired an anti-tank missile towards Israeli soldiers. It also said it had arrested several Hamas members in Syria overnight, accusing them of planning to attack Israeli civilians and IDF forces. Israel has fought for more than 20 months to eliminate Hamas after it launched deadly attacks October 7, 2023 that ignited the war. All efforts to end the conflict through negotiations have failed. Despite the bus attack, GHF said it was continuing its distribution efforts on Thursday, handing out food boxes early at one of its sites, before shutting its gates there. The GHF has handed out more than 16 million meals since it started operations in Gaza at the end of May, overseeing a new model of food distribution which the United Nations says is neither impartial nor neutral. Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry says more than 160 people have been killed by Israeli fire near the aid centres, as the aid effort repeatedly degenerated into chaos and terror with ravenous locals scrabbling for limited supplies. "This model will not address the deepening hunger. The dystopian 'Hunger Games' cannot become the new reality," Philippe Lazzarini, the chief of the UN Palestinian refugee agency (UNRWA), wrote on X. "The UN including @UNRWA have the knowledge, expertise & community trust to provide dignified & safe assistance. Just let the humanitarians do their jobs," he added. Israel has repeatedly called for UNRWA to be disbanded, accusing it of having ties with Hamas. UNRWA has denied this. Besides the GHF distribution effort, Israel is also letting into Gaza trucks carrying flour for the handful of bakeries that are still operating. For the first time in months, Israel allowed humanitarian trucks to enter northern Gaza directly overnight - with 56 trucks carrying supplies from the UN's World Food Programme crossing into the largely devastated region.
Sky News AU
3 hours ago
- Sky News AU
‘Very little communication' between Anthony Albanese and Donald Trump
On tonight's episode of Paul Murray Live, Sky News host Paul Murray discusses the tragic Air India crash, Anthony Albanese's potential meeting with Donald Trump and more. Mr Murray said there has been 'very little communication' between Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and US President Donald Trump. Anthony Albanese has held a closer relationship with the Chinese government instead, he added.
Perth Now
3 hours ago
- Perth Now
Albo yet to secure crucial Trump meeting
Anthony Albanese will visit Fiji, and the United States prior to heading to Canada to attend the G7 conference where the Prime Minister is facing intense pressure to secure his first face-to-face meeting with Donald Trump. Mr Albanese will fly out of Canberra on Friday morning for Nadi, Fiji where he is set to speak to Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka. The meeting can be seen as a concerted effort for Australia to cement its relationship with its Pacific allies amid increasing aggression from China. It will also canvas the impact of climate change on the region, which island countries in the bloc describe as their biggest existential threat. 'Visiting Fiji so soon after the election is a deliberate decision to reinforce my government's Pacific priorities and to exchange views with my dear friend Prime Minister Rabuka, a respected Pacific statesman,' Mr Albanese said. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will meet with Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka in Nadi on Friday. NewsWire / David Beach Credit: News Corp Australia The Labor leader will then travel to Seattle on the US West Coast to meet with business leaders, with the talks set to focus on emerging technologies such artificial intelligence. His arrival coincides with the end of AI Con, which is being attended by tech giants including Microsoft, Google, and Amazon Web Services. Mr Albanese will back-end the six-day trip by attending the G7 leaders summit in Kananaskis, Canada, where he it is hoped he will finally meet with Mr Trump. Demands for a face-to-face meeting substantially increased on Thursday after the Pentagon announced it would be reviewing the AUKUS defence agreement to ensure it still 'aligned with the President's America First agenda'. Whether Australia will be able to obtain a tariff exemption will be another key discussion point. The US has also made strident calls for Australia to lift defence spending from the current levels of about 2 per cent of GDP to 3.5 per cent, with Labor committing funding to ensure funding increases to 2.5 per cent by 2029/30. While Australia is not a member of the G7 – which includes Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the US, and the European Union – Mr Albanese was invited to attend the summit alongside the likes of India, Indonesia, South Korea and Ukraine. Mr Albanese is also expected to have bilateral talks with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and South Korean President Lee Jae-myung. However Mr Albanese has yet to secure a meeting with US President Donald Trump, amid a Pentagon review into the AUKUS defence partnership. NewsWire/ Philip Gostelow Credit: News Corp Australia Key discussions will include securing global supply chains, the future of advanced technologies like AI and the role of critical minerals, which Australia hopes to be a global player in. Supply of critical minerals could also play a role in securing a tariff exemption with the US, with the Albanese government investing $1.2bn in establishing a Critical Minerals Strategic Reserve, which includes stockpiling critical elements depending on global market. Mr Albanese said he was 'honoured' to have been invited by Mr Carney. 'I look forward to working productively with world leaders to discuss how we tackle some of the most challenging issues facing Australia, our region, and the world,' he said.
