US Requests Australia Send Warship to Red Sea Amid Israel-Hamas Conflict

This photo shows the Australian Navy's HMAS Adelaide docked at Vuna Wharf in Nukualofa, Tonga, on Jan. 26, 2022. Mary Lyn Fonua/Matangi Tonga/AFP via Getty Images

Australia is considering a request from the United States to send a navy warship to the Middle East as the Israel-Hamas conflict maneuvers to the Red Sea.

On Dec. 13, a Norwegian tanker in the Red Sea off the coast of Yemen was fired on by a gunman and targeted with missiles after Yemeni Houthi terrorists warned ships not to travel to Israel.

Since Israel’s offensive into Gaza, the Iranian-backed Houthi terrorist group has sought to support Hamas by firing missiles at, and conducting drone attacks, on Israeli and Israel-bound ships.

Assistant Defence Minister Matt Thistlethwaite said Australia’s decision to send a warship to aide the United States and allies will be made in “Australia’s interest.”

“We’ve certainly had a tradition of being involved in allied operations where we’re upholding international laws and trying to secure peace and stability, particularly related to ongoing commerce—and that’s what’s really at stake here,” Mr. Thistlethwaite said on Dec. 14.

“Obviously, there’s a flashpoint at the moment in that region with the war in Israel, and that does carry some risks, but we’ll make sure that we make decisions based on what is in Australia’s interest.”

Press secretary for the U.S. Air Force, Major General Pat Ryder, said the United States is taking the situation in the Red Sea “extremely seriously.”

“The actions that we’ve seen from these Houthi forces are destabilizing, they’re dangerous, and clearly a flagrant violation of international law,” Mr. Ryder said on Dec. 12.

“And so this is an international problem that requires an international solution. We do continue to consult closely with our international allies and partners on implementing a maritime task force.”

Australia is one of 39 member nations that is part of the U.S.-led international maritime task force.

Centre-right Liberal Senator Jane Hume said the opposition would support the Albanese government if it agreed with the request.

“Australia remains ready to stand by our allies in the Middle East and particularly protect those trade routes, as potentially we may be asked to do so. Of course, we would support standing by Israel in any way that they need and the request from the U.S.,” Ms. Hume told the Today show on Dec. 14.

Government’s ‘Mixed Messages’ on Hamas: Senator

However, Ms. Hume criticised the Albanese government for supporting a UN motion that called for a ceasefire in Gaza without condemning Hamas.

“Admittedly, the Australian government did issue a statement alongside Canada and New Zealand that called for a return of hostages—and that’s a good thing,” Ms. Hume said

“But the motion that we supported, alongside countries like Syria, Russia, Iran, the Taliban—that motion didn’t reflect the statement that Australia had made earlier on.

“I think that was a grave mistake, and it sends mixed messages to Australia’s Jewish community.”

On Dec. 13, Australia shifted its stance on the Israel-Hamas war and voted in favour of an immediate ceasefire at the United Nations. Australia joins New Zealand and Canada for an urgent “sustainable ceasefire.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese issued a joint statement on Dec. 13 and expressed his concerns over the deteriorating humanitarian conditions in Gaza; he also called for Hamas to immediately release its hostages.

“We recognise Israel’s right to exist and right to defend itself. In defending itself, Israel must respect international humanitarian law. Civilians and civilian infrastructure must be protected. We are alarmed at the diminishing safe space for civilians in Gaza. The price of defeating Hamas cannot be the continuous suffering of all Palestinian civilians,” the prime ministers of Australia, Canada, and NZ said in the joint statement.

Opposition foreign affairs spokesman Simon Birmingham said the only sustainable ceasefire is one where Hamas releases all its hostages and lays down its arms.

“The UN motion that passed calling for ceasefire without even mentioning Hamas was a woefully inadequate motion,” Mr. Birmingham told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) on Dec. 14.

If Hamas had the chance to regroup, it would mean another attack, he said, adding that civilians dying was a tragedy of war.

Labor Backbencher Criticises His Own Government’s Move

Labor backbencher Josh Burns has criticised the UN ceasefire resolution that Australia has signed.

Mr. Burns said he was critical of the motion, which did not condemn Hamas.

“Any ceasefire has to be a two-sided negotiated outcome. Any ceasefire has to be an agreement between two parties. And the foreign minister, and the prime minister in his statement, has reiterated that Hamas cannot be a part of the future governance of Gaza, and they need to be disarmed,” Mr. Burns said.

Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations condemned the UN ceasefire motion, describing it as “hypocritical” and ultimately aiding the terror group’s goal to destroy Israel.

Israeli U.N. Ambassador Gilad Erdan said that Hamas needs to be held accountable for their attack and highlighted that Israel is already “taking every measure” to facilitate humanitarian aid into Gaza, adding that a ceasefire “has nothing to do with humanity.”

“Not only does this resolution fail to condemn Hamas for crimes against humanity, it does not mention Hamas at all,” Mr. Erdan said. “This will only prolong the death and destruction in the region; that is precisely what a ceasefire means.”

Caden Pearson, Wim De Gent, and AAP contributed to this report.