Latest news with #DepartmentofForeignAffairsandTrade
7NEWS
3 days ago
- Politics
- 7NEWS
Two Australians among civilians on Gaza-bound aid ship Handala intercepted by Israel
Two Australians were among a group of civilisations detained by Israeli forces after the vessel they were travelling on, which was carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza, was intercepted. The Handala, operated by members of the Pro-Palestine group, was intercepted by Israel in international waters about forty nautical miles from Gaza on Saturday night. Of the 21 civilians on board were Australians Robert Martin, a human rights activist, and journalist Tania 'Tan' Safi. In a video posted to social media before the vessel was intercepted, Martin said the boat was too close to Gaza for the Israeli military to allow it to continue any further. 'We've also heard through Al Jazeera and a few other news agencies that they've actually been told that if we do not stop and go back they will have to act and deal with us,' he said. 'We're not sure what that means. But to the world if something happens, we were trying to shine the light on what's going on in Palestine and particularly Gaza. If something happens, it shows what Israel's all about.' The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade told it was aware of two Australians on board the intercepted ship. 'Our officials in Tel Aviv are liaising with authorities, and consular officers stand ready to offer assistance to affected Australians,' a spokesperson said. According to the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) Israel intercepted the boat in international waters outside Palestinian territorial waters off Gaza, a violation of international maritime law. It said those on board were 'abducted' and its cargo was seized. The ship was carrying aid such as baby formula, diapers, food and medicine for Palestinians in Gaza who have been unable to access supplies due to Israel's blockade. Ann Wright, a member of FFC's steering committee, said Israel had no authority to detain international civilians on the boat. 'This is not a matter of internal Israeli jurisdiction,' she said. 'These are foreign nationals operating under international law in international waters. Their detention is arbitrary, unlawful, and must end.' A YouTube livestream on board the ship showed armed personnel boarding the vessel, while the activists on the deck, all wearing life jackets, held their hands in the air in surrender. One of the helmeted personnel appears to manipulate the camera streaming on the deck, turning it around. The stream ended soon after that. Israel's foreign ministry confirmed in a statement on X that the 'Israeli navy has stopped the vessel Navarn from illegally entering the maritime zone of the coast of Gaza,' using the Handala's original name. 'The vessel is safely making its way to the shores of Israel. All passengers are safe,' the statement continued. 'Unauthorised attempts to breach the blockade are dangerous, unlawful, and undermine ongoing humanitarian efforts.' The Handala, named for a famous Palestinian cartoon character, is part of the FFC, which has attempted numerous times to break Israel's blockade on Gaza via sea and deliver aid to Palestinians there. Last month, another FFC Gaza-bound aid ship carrying Greta Thunberg was intercepted by Israeli forces.
ABC News
5 days ago
- Politics
- ABC News
Which countries recognise the state of Palestine. What would statehood look like?
As of 2025, there are about 147 countries that officially recognise the state of Palestine. France is set to recognise a Palestinian state at the United Nations General Assembly in September, bringing the total to 148 countries. Currently, there is no Palestinian state. Instead, there are the Occupied Palestinian Territories, which include Gaza, the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Only the Jewish state — Israel — exists. Some Palestinians live in Israel as citizens. Others live as refugees in Lebanon, Syria and Egypt. As of March 2025, the state of Palestine has been recognised as a sovereign nation by 147 of 193 member states of the United Nations, about 75 per cent. In 2024, a group of UN experts called on all United Nations member states to recognise the State of Palestine, in order to bring about an immediate ceasefire in Gaza amid the Israel-Gaza war. Since then, nine countries — Armenia, Slovenia, Ireland, Norway, Spain, the Bahamas, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica and Barbados — formally recognised the State of Palestine. Most of the Middle East, Africa and Asia recognise Palestinian statehood. On Thursday, France's President Emmanuel Macron announced that France would recognise a Palestinian state in hopes it would bring peace to the region. In response to Mr Macron's move, Mr Netanyahu said that such a move "rewards terror and risks creating another Iranian proxy". "A Palestinian state in these conditions would be a launch pad to annihilate Israel — not to live in peace beside it," Mr Netanyahu said in a post on X. In other parts of Europe, Slovenia, Malta and Belgium are yet to recognise Palestinian statehood. Australia, the United States, Canada, Japan and South Korea also do not. Australia does not recognise a Palestinian state. On its website, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade states Australia is: "Committed to a two-state solution in which Israel and a future Palestinian state coexist, in peace and security, within internationally recognised borders." The Australian Palestine Advocacy Network (APAN) has argued that Australia symbolically recognising Palestinian statehood would mean "establishing a formal diplomatic relationship with Palestine". Australia currently has an ambassador to Israel, but only a representative to Palestine. In recent comments, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese did not refer directly to recognising Palestine, but pointed to Australia's long-standing ambitions around recognition. "Recognising the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people for a state of their own has long been a bipartisan position in Australia," Mr Albanese said. "The reason a two-state solution remains the goal of the international community is because a just and lasting peace depends upon it. "Australia is committed to a future where both the Israeli and Palestinian peoples can live in peace and safety, within secure and internationally recognised borders." Last year, Foreign Minister Penny Wong indicated Australia was considering recognising a Palestinian state as part of a peace process, rather than at the endpoint. This week, Australia joined 27 other countries demanding an immediate end to the war. In November 2024, Australia voted in favour of a draft United Nations resolution recognising "permanent sovereignty" of Palestinians and the Golan Heights to natural resources in the Occupied Territories for the first time in more than two decades. A total of 159 countries voted in favour of the draft resolution in a UN committee, including Australia, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, France, Germany and Japan. The State of Palestine was formally declared by the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) on November 15, 1988. It claims sovereignty over the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip. According to senior lecturer in law at the University of South Australia, Juliette McIntyre, a state has certain defining features under international law. These features include a permanent population, a determinate territory, an "effective" government and the capacity to enter into relations with other states. "In some ways, the most important thing is recognition by other states — this enables entering into diplomatic relations, and membership of international organisations," Dr McIntyre said. She added that the governance of a Palestinian state could look like "free and fair elections for all Palestinians exercising their right of self-determination". Recognising a Palestinian state could mean the beginning of a "two-state solution" where both a Jewish state and an Arab state would exist at the same time. "A two-state solution requires two states. Israel's occupation of Palestinian territory has been found to be unlawful. The two-state solution is still widely regarded by world leaders as the only way to end the conflict, but is not as popular in Israel and parts of the occupied Palestinian territories. "The territorial integrity of both states should be respected, and new borders could only come about by treaty agreement between both states," Dr McIntyre said. On Wednesday, Israel's parliament, the Knesset, voted 71-13 in favour of annexation of the West Bank, raising questions about the future of a Palestinian state. The non-binding vote was backed by members of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's right-wing coalition, as well as some opposition members of parliament. In a recent post on X, Mr Netanyahu said: "Let's be clear: the Palestinians do not seek a state alongside Israel; they seek a state instead of Israel." Both Mr Netanyahu and other members of Israel's parliament have shown their lack of support for a two-state solution. This year, the UN, which largely supports a two-state solution, will hold an international conference on the question of Palestine and the implementation of the two-state solution in New York from July 28 to 29. The United States has opted out of attendance.
ABC News
6 days ago
- ABC News
Australian man found dead in Phuket, Thailand, hotel room
An Australian man has been found dead in a hotel room on the Thai holiday island of Phuket. Hotel staff found the body of a man in his early 20s on Wednesday morning, according to Reuters and local media. The man had a bandaged arm because of a recent motorcycle crash and had died with his mobile phone on his chest, according to media reports. According to police Lieutenant Colonel Thanom Thongpaenm, the man was still on a call when the body was discovered. "The line hadn't been disconnected and he had died like that," he told Reuters. "It appeared he had been on the call for about 12 hours." Authorities have yet to release the name of the man, who was born in India but had an Australian passport. Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is providing consular assistance to the family of an Australian who died in Thailand, a spokesperson has said. "Owing to our privacy obligations, we are unable to provide further comment." AAP
Sky News AU
6 days ago
- Sky News AU
Australians urged to cancel trips to Thailand and Cambodia amid growing conflict
Australians are advised to avoid travelling to Thailand and Cambodia as armed conflict between the two neighbouring countries intensifies along their shared border. On Thursday July 24, Smartraveller, the federal government's official travel advice website, issued a warning amid rising violence in the region. While the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has not yet made a formal announcement, Smartraveller updated its guidance, warning that Australians should reconsider travel to the affected regions. The site flagged growing armed clashes and military interference in the border areas of Buriram, Si Saket, Surin and Ubon Ratchathani provinces near the Cambodia border. Their site also states: "There's an ongoing risk of terrorism in Thailand. Popular tourist areas may be the target of terrorist attacks anywhere across Thailand, including Bangkok and Phuket." "Phuket International Airport has increased security measures and passengers should arrive early for their flight. This follows the recent discovery of an explosive device near the airport. Thai authorities also defused devices in Phuket, Krabi and Phang Nga and made arrests," they added. The conflict resulted in at least 12 causalities including kids and flared just days ago when a Cambodian patrol unit reportedly crossed into disputed territory, sparking a skirmish with Thai forces. Since then, both sides have exchanged artillery fire, set up military outposts, and accused each other of aggression. Several villages near the border have been evacuated, with fears the situation could spiral into broader conflict. Australians currently in either country are being urged to avoid travel to the border zones, stay up to date through local media and follow the directions of local authorities. Smartraveller's warning highlights the unpredictable security environment and the possibility of further violence. Thousands of Australians are believed to be holidaying in Thailand and Cambodia currently. It is known that most tourist hubs remain calm, however, the uncertainty of the situation has raised alarm among travel operators and consular staff. Travellers are also being advised to register their travel plans via the Smartraveller website to receive the latest updates and to ensure consular support can be provided if needed. They are also advised to follow the advice of local authorities and keep up to date with local media for any updates. With DFAT yet to make a formal statement, concerns remain over how quickly the conflict could escalate. International observers have urged restraint, but tensions continue to build on both sides of the border.
7NEWS
6 days ago
- 7NEWS
Pictured: Australian man, 21, who tragically died on holiday in Thailand
An Australian man who died while holidaying in Thailand with friends had taken medication after suffering injuries in a motorbike crash a day earlier. Ahmad Akkouche, 21, was found dead in a bed at The Rubber Hotel in Tambon Thepkrasattri, a northern district of Phuket, on Wednesday by a cleaner. Police were called about 10am and arrived to find him wearing a black T-shirt and still holding his phone, according to local media reports. Thai Police said there were no signs of a disturbance, no evidence of a break-in and no visible injuries suggesting foul play. Police lieutenant colonel Thanom Thongpaen, from Thalang Police District, said he saw Akkouche lying on with a mobile phone resting on his chest. 'He was still on a call with someone,' he said. 'The line hadn't been disconnected and he had died like that. There were no signs of struggle or anything suspicious. 'It appeared he had been on the call for about 12 hours. The phone screen had gone dark, but we could still see the call duration and confirm he was on a call. 'We don't know who he was talking to. I tried speaking into the phone, but there was no response. The line remained active, but there was no voice on the other end. The phone was locked, so we couldn't examine it further.' Thongpaen said there were no drugs or alcohol at the scene, but there were about '10 pills in blister packs' of over-the-counter painkillers and anti-inflammatory medication. 'The day before, he had a motorcycle accident and injured his elbow and wrist,' he said. 'He had asked the hotel maid to buy medicine for him from a pharmacy. He likely took the medication before he passed away.' Thongpaen said police 'could not determine a clear cause of death', but there were 'no signs of foul play in this case'. Akkouche was just one day away from flying home after spending several days holidaying in Thailand with friends. He had checked into the hotel just three days earlier, on July 20, and was due to check out on July 24. Akkouche was from western Sydney. Loved ones announced his death in a post online. 'It is with deep sadness our beloved cousin returned to Allah,' the post reads.'Kindly remember the family and Ahmad in your Dua. 'He will be dearly missed. ' A forensic doctor was called to the hotel and took Akkouche's body to Vachira Phuket Hospital for post-mortem examination as police investigations continue. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said it is 'providing consular assistance to the family of an Australian who died in Thailand'. 'Owing to our privacy obligations we are unable to provide further comment,' a DFAT spokesperson said. Investigations continue.
