PM Anthony Albanese urged by Jewish leaders to visit Israel instead of 'throwing mud or criticising through words'
Israel's President Isaac Herzog spoke to Australian media on Thursday about how he hoped the Labor leader would fly over to see the issues the unstable region faced.
Mr Albanese has this week been stern towards Israel amid its conflict with Gaza, claiming the nation's "excuses and explanations" for blocking aid from entering the enclave were "unacceptable".
Some of the 2.3 million displaced and hungry Palestinians on Wednesday rushed to the city of Rafah where aid was being distributed by a US-backed group approved by Israel.
Israeli soldiers were forced to fire warning shots due to the sudden influx of immense crowds.
Executive Manager at the Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council, Joel Burnie, said Mr Albanese should visit Israel first before "throwing mud or criticising through words".
"So we've had the recent comments by the Prime Minster, which again continue the perceived one-sided criticism of what used to be a very close friend of Australia's," he said to Danica Di Giorgio hosting The Kenny Report on Thursday.
"And essentially what the President is saying, (is) 'if you are so concerned about what is on here, how about you come and you visit' instead of throwing mud or criticising through words, how about you come here with your actions, see how things are going, see what's happening on the ground here and come up with practical solutions."
Mr Burnie conceded he "highly doubted" the PM would fly over for the trip.
Thousands of Israelis rallied in streets on Wednesday, calling for the release of the remaining hostages who have been held by Hamas militants for 600 days.
There was potential movement for a ceasefire after Hamas agreed to 60-day truce in Gaza and the release of 10 captives, according to sources who spoke to Al Jazeera.
The US, however, denied that report.
Mr Burnie stressed Australia has to work closely with Israel again.
"At the end of the day, we hear these comments from the Prime Minister, we see these comments (from) so-called allies of Israel. All of this conflict could come to an end if Hamas would lay down their arms and hand over the hostages," he told Sky News.
"It's a simple demand to ask of them. Instead of criticising Israel, we should be working together with all of our allies just to do those two simple things.
"That will bring an immediate end to this war."
Mr Albanese previously told President Herzog that Israel blocking humanitarian aid from entering the enclave was "completely untenable and without credibility".
The pair had spoken on the sidelines of Pope Leo's inauguration in Rome, Italy.
Earlier this month Foreign Minister Penny Wong was also outspoken, releasing a joint statement condemning Israel for "blocking humanitarian aid for over two months".
"Food, medicines and essential supplies are exhausted. The population faces starvation. Gaza's people must receive the aid they desperately need," it read.
"Prior to the aid block, the UN (United Nations) and humanitarian NGOs (non-government organisations) delivered aid into Gaza, working with great courage, at the risk of their lives and in the face of major access challenges imposed by Israel."
Senator Wong also called on Israel's government to "allow a full resumption of aid into Gaza and enable the UN and humanitarian organisations to work independently and impartially to save lives, reduce suffering and maintain dignity."
The foreign ministers of 24 nations also put pressure on Hamas to release the remaining hostages and allow aid distribution "without interference".
Israel had approved the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation to build hubs to distribute aid, bypassing the need to rely on international organisations who have been helping for months.
On Tuesday it said officials had handed out about 462,000 meals, since Israel eased an 11-week-long blockade amid mounting pressure from the international community.
There have been heartbreaking scenes with Palestinians seen running and scrambling in hopes of getting their hands on some of the 8,000 food packages to feed their families.
Israel had also accused Hamas of diverting and seizing aid supplies.
The terror group denied it was stealing aid.
-with Reuters
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