As the third anniversary of the October 7 attacks looms, Israel's Ambassador to Australia, Hillel Newman, is expressing hope for a return to "traditional friendship" between the two nations. Relations have been notably "strained" since the 2023 Hamas attack, which saw approximately 1,200 Israelis killed and 250 taken hostage, marking the deadliest day for Jewish people since the Holocaust.
Newman acknowledged the "challenges" but stated his "goodwill" to "reset" the relationship. He suggested that differences in opinion shouldn't overshadow the broader ties, even if Australia has criticisms regarding specific issues. This comes as Israel’s foreign ministry has publicly criticized Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong for comments made to the UN about settler violence in the West Bank, calling them a "blatant lie."
Relations have previously deteriorated over other incidents. The Australian government, alongside the UK, Canada, and New Zealand, sanctioned Israeli politicians Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich for inciting violence against Palestinians. However, Australia stopped short of joining partners in banning goods from illegal West Bank settlements. A major point of contention was the killing of Australian aid worker Zomi Frankcom and other World Central Kitchen colleagues in an Israeli drone strike in April 2024. Despite criticism from Australian Prime Minister Albanese and Minister Wong, the Israel Defense Forces decided not to pursue criminal proceedings, a decision Wong stated the Australian government will "not stop pressing Israel for justice" over.
Leaders from Australia's Palestinian community, however, believe the federal government needs to do more to support the diaspora impacted by the war in Gaza. Nasser Mashni, president of the Australia Palestine Advocacy Network, described the ongoing impact as a "relentless erosion of our place in this country," suggesting that protesting for peace is met with controversy. A UN commission found in 2025 that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza, a claim Israel denies.
The Jewish community in Australia is also navigating a difficult period, marked by rising antisemitism and the upcoming first anniversary of the Bondi massacre on December 14, where 15 people were killed. Alex Ryvchin, co-chief executive of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, noted the "troubled, uncertain times" but asserted that "jihadists" had "failed dismally" if they believed their actions would lead Australians to turn on their Jewish neighbors. Shadow Defence Minister James Paterson called for "sustained effort from the entire community" to address what he termed a "societal cancer."
