Foreign Minister Penny Wong declares criticism of Israeli policy is not anti-Semitism

Foreign Minister Penny Wong has declared criticism of Israeli policy is not anti-Semitism as she argued the democratic country had to abide by international law, just like China and Russia had to.

The same day a firebombing at a Melbourne synagogue was officially called a terrorist attack, Ms Wong said a “devastating” rise in anti-Semitism in Australia is “unacceptable” but that there must be respect for disagreement.

“It is not anti-Semitic to expect that Israel should comply with the international law that applies to all countries,” she said when delivering the Hawke Lecture at the University of South Australia on Monday night.

“Nor is it anti-Semitic to call for children and other civilians to be protected or to call for a two-state solution that enables Israelis and Palestinians to live in peace and security.”

She went on to urge world leaders to uphold “rules” so the future is not determined “by force or power alone” and called out Israel, Russia and China in quick succession.

“Australia can’t pick and choose which rules we are going to apply,” she said.

“We expect Russia to abide by international law and end its illegal full scale war on Ukraine. We expect China to abide by international legal decisions in the South China Sea. We also expect Israel to abide by international law.”

In Perth on Tuesday, Ms Wong denied she was equating Israel to Moscow and Beijing.

“I think I was pretty clear that I was talking about the principle of international law,” she said.

In her speech in Adelaide Ms Wong had accused politicians “on the right and left” of dividing Australia.

“Misrepresenting views and exaggerating differences ... trying to convert global uncertainty into domestic anxiety,” she said, referring to what former Prime Minister Bob H.awke called “the vicious cycle of confrontation.”

“Last week’s firebombing of the Addas Israel Synagogue in Melbourne was a shocking crime.

“I know that so many in the Australian Jewish community are feeling scared and unsafe in a way that should never happen in a society like ours. You should not feel that way anywhere or at any time.”

US-based Jewish human rights organisation, the Simon Wiesenthal Centre, issued its own travel warning for Australia in the wake of Friday’s synagogue arson attack, writing to the Australian ambassador.

Ms Wong said the Australian Government was “firm and clear” in its response against anti-Semitism.

“You’ve seen the work that the Prime Minister has announced, you’ve seen the announcements of additional security funding for Jewish places of worship and Jewish schools,” she said.

“This was a crime that needs to be investigated, it is being investigated as a terrorist incident. What I would say to the Australian Jewish community is this: you are a valued part of our community.”

She also defended Anthony Albanese’s three-day visit to Perth before visiting the Jewish community in Melbourne and photos of him playing tennis at the beachside Cottesloe Tennis Club on Saturday.

“I think there are more important things that we are focussed on than whether or not the Prime Minister played some tennis,” she said.

“The Prime Minister had events here in Perth, he made sure he engaged with the community, he was briefed by Melbourne Police and you have seen announcements the Government has made in response to this attack.”

Mr Albanese was in Perth to open the new Ellenbrook rail line on Sunday, attended a Labor party fundraiser on Friday night and announced a major funding boost for critical minerals.