Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

I have, as have the Labor Party and the Labor government, been very clear about the imperative of the continued existence of the State of Israel and our support for a two-state solution. We've been very clear about that. Every state, including Israel, has a right to defend itself. However, as I have repeatedly made clear, that right is not without limits. Those limits, those rules, apply to Israel, to Australia and to all states under international law.

I assume that the Leader of the Opposition in the Senate is making reference to Hezbollah in Lebanon. I would make this point: from the beginning we have been clear and consistent that we want all parties to exercise restraint. From the beginning, we have been clear and consistent that we do not want to see the conflict spreading to other parts of the region, including Lebanon. If the conflict spreads, it would be devastating for the whole region—for Israel, for Lebanon, for the thousands of Australians in Lebanon and for the region. We want ceasefire, protection of civilians, the return of hostages and a diplomatic solution, and we want all parties to exercise restraint.