The Australian government is urging its citizens not to travel to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories due to the escalating conflict in the region. The advisory, issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), reflects concerns that the violent disputes between Israel and Islamist militants in Gaza and Lebanon may trigger a significant regional war.
The volatile security situation, armed clashes, civil unrest, and terrorism constitute the major reasons for this advisory issued on the DFAT-run Smartraveller website. The Australian citizens currently in Israel are also advised to leave the country using any commercial flights available and border crossings that remain open, as long as it is safe.
The advisory highlights the persistent threat of missile and rocket attacks in Israel, particularly on its border lines with Lebanon. Citizens are warned against traveling to these specific areas.
Peter Dutton, in support of this travel advisory, insists that people should heed the renewed travel advice. Despite acknowledging the frustrations that Australians might have due to separation from family and business interests, Dutton emphasized the necessity of the warnings, stating that they are based on closely monitored intelligence and robust security assessments. During this period, the Australian government’s primary concern is to prevent its citizens from walking into potential danger zones.
Parallel to the travel advisory, DFAT has established a crisis registration portal for Australians and permanent residents currently in Israel and the West Bank. This step has been taken amid the increasing tensions between Israel and Iran, ignited by the elimination of most of the key figures in Hezbollah, a Lebanese terrorist group supported by Iran, by Israeli forces.
The Iranian response to this action has been marked by an onslaught of almost 200 missiles aimed at Israel, with a majority of them having been intercepted. In retaliation, Israel has pledged to strike back, contemplating attacks on Iran’s nuclear research and oil production units.
The Albanese government is also taking measures against Iran by imposing new sanctions against five individuals contributing to Iran’s missile program, demonstrating Australia’s firm stance in dealing with these conflicts. The government considers Iran’s missile program to be a serious threat to regional and international security.
The government’s concerns have been elevated by Iran’s recent launch of over 180 ballistic missiles against Israel, an act seen as dangerously escalating the situation and increasing the risk of a region-wide war. Iran’s ongoing provision of missiles and military equipment to proxies launching daily attacks throughout the region and its recent supply of ballistic missiles to Russia for its war against Ukraine, underline Iran’s destabilising role in the region.
These sanctions have been extended to two directors, a senior official of Iran’s Aerospace Industries Organisation, the director of the Shahid Bagheri Industrial Group, and the commercial director of the Shahid Hemmat Industrial Group. At the moment, Australia has sanctioned 200 individuals and entities linked to Iran.
In conclusion, Australia resolves to hold Iran accountable for its reckless and destabilising actions, while continually urging its citizens to prioritize their safety by avoiding travel to the high-risk areas.
