This week in Australian foreign affairs: Australia sanctioned indvidiuals linked to terrorist organisations Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, violent extremist settlers in Israel, called for international law to be upheld in Lebanon, and ministers met with various European countries to dicuss security and economic matters.
On June 6, the Australian government imposed counter-terrorism financing santions on three individuals linked the terrorist organisations Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad. The sanctions were aimed at making it harder for these terrorist organisations to recruit, fund attacks, and spread their hateful ideology. Australia reaffirmed its commitment to eradicating terrorism and holding terrorist actors to account, coordianting with a range of partners on these sanctions.
On the same day, Foreign Affairs Minister Penng Wong issued a joint statement between various European Ministers and Representatives on the situation between Hezbollah and Israel. The Ministers and Represenatitives expressed, “profound concern over the continued escalation of hostilities in Lebanon and welcome ongoing efforts to implement the ceasefire.” They have called “on all parties to exercise maximum restraint, adhere fully to the ceasefire, refrain from actions that could lead to further escalation and ensure the protection of civilians,” while supporting the the Lebanese government’s effort to extend its authortiy and security forces across the country while disarming Hezbollah. International law was noted to be a pillar that should be upheld between actors.
On June 7, Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles announced plans to visit Europe and the United Kingdom. This is part of the Albanese Governmen’ts work to strengthen Australia’s relationships, discussing regional resilience building, deepen defence strategic alignment, enhance economic prosperity, and a secure Indo-Pacific. The discussions will further focus on how Australia and the United Kingdom can work together to shape our shared future, including for a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific. The Defence Minister said in a press release, “While geographically distant, Australia and Europe’s interests are increasingly interconnected.”
On June 8, the Australian and German governments convened on the third Security Policy Consulations. The government noted that Australia and Germany are determined to address common and similar security and regional challenges in close cooperation, based on shared values and interests, including through increasingly close bilateral cooperation, with the aim of promoting international peace, stability and the rules-based international order. Key areas that were discussed during the Security Policy Consulations include: Global Security Challenges, Indo-Pacific Cooperation, Defence Cooperation, Cybersecurity and Foreign Infromation Manipulation and Interference as well as the Multilateral System.
On June 9, the Foreign Ministers of Australia, Canda, France, Norway and the United Kingdom released a joint statement introducing sanctions and other measures to hold extremist settlers accountable for the horrific levels of settler violence against Palestinian civilians. The Ministers noted how extremist violent settlers, with the backing of their supporters, continue to attack Palestinians and abuse their human rights. With all countries historically recognising the State of Palestine, the joint statement reiterated that peace and security for both Israelis and Palestinians can only be achieved through the implementation of the two-state solution.
On the same day, Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong and Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France Jean-Noël Barrot held a bilateral discussion on key areas of cooperation. The Ministers reaffirmed the dynamism of the France–Australian partnership, which is based on shared values and a mutual commitment to an international system underpinned by agreed rules and norms, especially working together on a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific. Key agreements were made to expand cooperation in fields such as national security and policing, as well as increasing collaboration to counter cyber crime and drug trafficking, while reinforcing global rules and norms.
On June 10, British Ministers for Defence and Secretart of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs hosted Australian Ministers for the Australia-UK Ministerial Consultations (AUKMIN) in London. Ministers noted key interests such as working together for peace and stability in the Middle East, supporting Ukraine against Russian aggression, countering hybrid threats from hostile actors, a shared commitment to the Indo-Pacific, building shared defence capability, creatin steadfast partners while upholding international rules and norms, promoting growth and economic resilience in a contested geoeconomic era, working together towards a cleaner, more resilient, and more prosperous future, and finally building fairer societies.
On June 10, the Australian government made a joint statement with 22 countries on state threats relating to Iranian security services and the condemnation of recent Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamiya (HAYI) claimed-attacks across Europe. The countries noted the importance of standing united in their determination to protect our countries and our people against these threats, while asserting that the Islamic Republic of Iran must halt these actions now. The countries also condemned the recent campaign of attacks across Europe targeting Jewish communities, Iranian journalists and US interests, claimed by Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamiya (HAYI) and supported by their intermediaries.
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