The move comes after the European Union and the United Kingdom also called for calm after British and Italian citizens were killed in two separate attacks in the region.
It follows another flare-up in the ongoing Israel–Palestine conflict in the religious month of April, during Judaism’s Pesach or Passover, Christianity’s Easter, and Islam’s Ramadan.
On the morning of April 7, two British-Israeli sisters in their 20s died in a car crash after their car was shot at in the Harma Junction in the Jordan Valley, and their mother was seriously injured.
In a separate incident in Tel Aviv, a car rammed into pedestrians at the Tel Aviv Promenade on the night of April 7, killing Italian tourist Alessandro Parini and wounding several people. All victims are reportedly British and Italian tourists.
Australia Deeply Concerned Foreign Minister Says
“Australia is deeply concerned by the escalating violence in Israel, the Palestinian Territories, and Lebanon,” said Wong. “During this time of Ramadan, Pesach, and Easter, we call on all parties to immediately work to halt the violence, exercise restraint, and restore calm.”Wong said Israel had the right to defend itself from indiscriminate rocket attacks from southern Lebanon and Gaza and that the federal government unreservedly condemned the attacks.
She also noted the federal government was shocked by the horrifying news of attacks in the West Bank and Tel Aviv.
“Our thoughts go to the victims’ families and the injured. Terrorism and violence against civilians can never be justified,” Wong said.
“Australia calls on all parties to respect and protect the sanctity and status of Jerusalem’s holy sites.
“Events in recent days are urgent reminders of the need for leaders to work together to foster the conditions necessary for tolerance and peace.”
However, the foreign minister also urged the Israeli government to show restraint against Palestinians and Muslim worshippers attending Al Aqsa, also known as the Dome of the Rock.
EU and UK Calls for De-Escalation
In a statement on April 7, British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said the UK condemned the “indiscriminate rocket attacks from southern Lebanon and Gaza and recognises Israel’s right to self-defence,” adding that now was the “time for all parties across the region to de-escalate tensions.”“At the convergence of Passover, Ramadan, and Easter, the UK calls for all parties to respect the historic status quo arrangements at Jerusalem’s holy sites and cease all provocative action,” the statement reads.
The latest round of rocket attacks on Israel was launched after Israeli police stationed at Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque forcibly dispersed crowds of worshippers who chanted praise for Hamas—a Palestinian militant group classified as a terrorist group by countries and jurisdictions including the UK, the EU, and the United States.
Cleverly said the UK is a “strong supporter of freedom of religion or belief and calls for places of worship to be respected” while condemning “Israeli police violence at the Al Aqsa Mosque.”
“We value Jordan’s important role as custodian of the holy sites in Jerusalem,” he said.
“When Israeli security forces conduct operations, they must ensure they are proportionate and in accordance with international law. Israel and the Palestinian Authority must take steps to honour the commitments agreed at Sharm el-Sheikh and Aqaba.”
Cleverly said, “Peace will only be sustainable if both Israelis and Palestinians recommit themselves to a negotiated settlement, leading to a two-state solution of a secure Israel side by side with a viable Palestinian State.”
In a similar statement on April 8, EU High Representative Josep Borrell said, “Israel has the right to defend itself. At the same time, any response must be proportionate. The EU calls for an immediate end to the ongoing violence. Everything must be done to prevent the conflict from spreading.”
The EU foreign minister urged “all parties to exercise maximum restraint, to avoid further escalation and promote calm for the ongoing religious holidays.”
