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🇦🇺 Australia /Conflict & Security

Opposition Backs Israel's Right to Military Action in Lebanon

From ABC Australia · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • Australia's Shadow Foreign Affairs Minister Ted O'Brien defended Israel's right to conduct military operations in southern Lebanon.
  • His comments contrast with the Australian government's stance, which supports Lebanon's sovereignty and opposes Israeli occupation.
  • The situation is complicated by a US-Iran memorandum of understanding aimed at pausing the conflict, which O'Brien believes is undermined by parties not party to the agreement.

Australia's Shadow Foreign Affairs Minister Ted O'Brien has asserted Israel's right to continue its military actions in southern Lebanon, diverging from the current Australian government's position. This stance comes amid ongoing scrutiny of a memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran, which reportedly includes a commitment to halt Israel's military expansion along its northern border.

O'Brien's remarks follow Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon that killed at least 16 people, including two children, on Saturday. These strikes occurred shortly after the US-Iran MOU took effect. Iran responded by closing the Strait of Hormuz, warning of potential consequences if the fighting persists. O'Brien suggested that the fragile peace is being further destabilized by the involvement of entities not covered by the US-Iran agreement.

There's no doubt that when you have the likes of Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon at the moment, neither of whom are part of the agreement struck between the US and Iran, it certainly complicates things.

— Ted O'BrienShadow Foreign Affairs Minister Ted O'Brien explaining how the involvement of Israel and Hezbollah complicates the US-Iran memorandum of understanding.

"There's no doubt that when you have the likes of Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon at the moment, neither of whom are part of the agreement struck between the US and Iran, it certainly complicates things," O'Brien stated on Sunday. This position places him at odds with Foreign Minister Penny Wong, who previously affirmed Australia's support for Lebanon's sovereignty and opposition to Israeli occupation.

O'Brien argued that Israel possesses the right to self-defense against Hezbollah, stating, "If we have a terrorist organisation still threatening the lives of Israeli people, then I think Israel has a right to defend itself." Meanwhile, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed Australia would not lift its own sanctions on Iran, emphasizing the nation's sovereign decision-making. O'Brien also cautioned that Iran potentially imposing tolls on the Strait of Hormuz could significantly impact Australian consumers and the global economy, highlighting the increasing interconnectedness of international economic and security interests.

If we have a terrorist organisation still threatening the lives of Israeli people, then I think Israel has a right to defend itself.

— Ted O'BrienShadow Foreign Affairs Minister Ted O'Brien defending Israel's right to military action.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Australia in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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