Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong Rejects Claim Israel Is an Ally During Heated Senate Hearing
June 24, 2026
A remarkable moment unfolded during an Australian Senate hearing when Foreign Minister Penny Wong rejected the notion that Israel should be considered an Australian ally, drawing attention across the country’s political landscape. The exchange came after questioning from Greens Deputy Leader Mehreen Faruqi, who has consistently pushed for greater scrutiny of Australia’s relationship with Israel amid growing outrage over the war in Gaza.
For years, Australian politicians have often spoken about Israel as a close friend and partner.
Because when enough people speak out, even governments begin changing their language.
For decades politicians told Australians there was no debate. Now the debate is happening in parliament itself. And that is a sign that public pressure is working.
Source: @mehreenfaruqi
#MehreenFaruqi #PennyWong #Australia #Palestine #FreePalestine Gaza
English Script:
Mehreen Faruqi: The 11 Australians who are trying to deliver food and aid and medicine to starving people in Gaza, as you know, were treated horrifically. And we know from UN reports that Israel has a pattern of sexually abusing and assaulting Palestinians as well. And of course, there’s the genocide that has been going on for almost 3 years. Could I ask you after all of this, why is your government still calling Israel a friend and an ally?
Penny Wong: Well, actually, I don’t use the word ally. It’s not—you use that.
Mehreen Faruqi: You don’t use that?
Penny Wong: Yeah. No, I don’t—I don’t use that word because—
Mehreen Faruqi: So, the government does not consider Israel an ally?
Penny Wong: Why are you shouting at me?
Mehreen Faruqi: I’m not shouting at you at all. Why can’t you answer the question, Minister, rather than just accusing me of things that I’m not doing? Is Israel a friend and an ally of Australia?
Penny Wong: Senator, can I—the point I’m making, Senator, is that that is something you say when you try to, unfortunately, ferment more anger on this issue and more division in Australian society. That is not a phrase I use because we don’t have an alliance. We have alliance partners.
Mehreen Faruqi: Well, you’re—sorry, but your government has called Israel an ally. Excuse me. I’m here asking you questions.
Penny Wong: And I’m entitled to answer.
Mehreen Faruqi: And you have answered.
Penny Wong: You don’t want me to—you don’t want the answer, do you?
Mehreen Faruqi: I think you did answer and I’m questioning that answer.
Penny Wong: You just want to get angry at me.
Mehreen Faruqi: Oh my God. You just need to change your attitude a little bit, honestly. It doesn’t fool anyone.
Penny Wong: Well, Senator, your approach on these issues is not to listen to the answer because you just want to ferment anger, and that is what you do.
Mehreen Faruqi: Well, that is a horrific accusation which you just made out of thin air.
Penny Wong: You asked me about the relationship with Israel.
Mehreen Faruqi: Yes.
Penny Wong: There is no doubt that this has been one of the most challenging times in the history of our relationship. Australia is strongly opposed to many of the actions of the Netanyahu government and we have been clear about that opposition. In addition to the many concerns we’ve raised about Gaza and about the West Bank, we’ve seen a lack of progress into investigations including the deaths of Zomie Frankcom and the World Central Kitchen colleagues, the refusal to allow Australian diplomats from doing their work in Palestine, the damage to veterans’ war graves, and the alleged mistreatment of Australian citizens. The very serious allegations which have been discussed today. This is a pattern of behavior which makes it difficult to—well, unless the pattern of behavior changes, it is very difficult to see the relationship changing.
