Australian Cross-Party Delegation to Visit Israel in Historic Wartime Trip, Greens Absent

A cross-party delegation from Australia is set to embark on a historic visit to Israel, marking the first time a Labor MP has visited the Jewish state since the recent conflict began. Led by shadow foreign affairs minister Simon Birmingham and Labor MP Josh Burns, the delegation will spend several days in Israel, engaging in meetings with senior Israeli officials and witnessing firsthand the areas directly impacted by Hamas’ brutal incursion on October 7. The visit, however, will not include members of the Greens party. Birmingham and Burns have been vocal about their concerns regarding the rise of anti-Semitism in Australia, urging the government to take a stronger stance against it. Birmingham particularly denounced a new travel warning issued for Israelis visiting Australia, labeling it a terrible stain on the country. The electorate of Macnamara in Victoria, represented by Burns, includes Caufield, a predominantly Jewish suburb where clashes between Israel and Palestine supporters recently took place near a synagogue. Former Prime Minister Scott Morrison was the first Australian politician to visit Israel during the ongoing conflict, accompanied by Boris Johnson in early November. Their visit aimed to demonstrate solidarity with Israel but faced criticism from former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, who accused Morrison of showboating. The Australian delegation’s visit to Israel further highlights the delicate balance Australian politicians must strike amidst an increasingly complex international landscape.