Australia’s foreign minister, Penny Wong, has told Israel that Canberra supports Lebanon’s sovereignty and opposes any occupation of territory in the country’s south.

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Wong delivered the message in a conversation with Israeli foreign minister Gideon Sa’ar after Israel signalled it could create a “defensive buffer” in southern Lebanon to counter the Iran-backed armed group Hezbollah.

Australia warns against occupation

The remarks came as regional tensions remained high, with Israel continuing military operations linked to the wider conflict involving Iran.

Wong said Australia was deeply concerned about the spread of violence in Lebanon and the humanitarian impact on civilians.

“Australia is gravely concerned at the expansion of the conflict in Lebanon, the loss of life and displacement of more than one million civilians,” she said.

She also stressed that Australia did not support Israeli control of Lebanese territory.

“Australia supports Lebanon’s sovereignty – so we do not want to see occupation of southern Lebanon by Israel,” Wong said.

Israel stresses security concerns

Sa’ar said he had outlined Israel’s security concerns during the conversation, pointing to ongoing attacks launched from Lebanon.

He said Israel faced large-scale missile, rocket and drone strikes against communities in its north.

According to Sa’ar, Israel was acting to defend its population and restore security in areas where residents had been displaced by the fighting.

He also criticised the Lebanese government, saying it had not taken effective action against Hezbollah to stop attacks targeting Israeli civilians.

Israel’s defence minister, Israel Katz, previously indicated that Israeli forces could maintain control over bridges and a security zone extending to the Litani River, roughly 30 kilometres north of Israel’s border.

Australians urged to leave Lebanon

Wong also renewed warnings for Australians currently in Lebanon.

She urged citizens to leave the country while travel remained possible and safe.

“Please do not wait until it’s too late,” she said.

Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade estimates about 15,000 Australians are living in Lebanon.

Since the outbreak of the regional war, more than 8,000 Australians and permanent residents have returned home from across the Middle East.

The Australian government recently announced an additional 5 million Australian dollars in humanitarian assistance to support civilians affected by the fighting in Lebanon, particularly women and children.

Wider tensions remain

The discussion between Wong and Sa’ar also touched on several issues straining relations between the two countries.

Among them were statements by Israel’s finance minister, Bezalel Smotrich, who has advocated establishing a new border with Lebanon along the Litani River.

Smotrich was sanctioned by Australia last year.

Diplomatic tensions have also persisted after Israel revoked visas for Australian diplomats stationed at Canberra’s mission to the Palestinian Authority in Ramallah. The office has remained closed for more than seven months.

Officials from the government of Anthony Albanese continue to press Israel to restore access.

Australia also raised concerns over rising settler violence in the West Bank and recent Israeli measures tightening control over the territory.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 27 March 2026

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Australia’s warning to Israel underscores what should be obvious: you cannot claim “self‑defence” while invading and occupying another sovereign nation’s territory.

Israel’s stated plan to seize southern Lebanon up to the Litani River, thereby displacing more than a million civilians in the process, is not defensive by any meaningful definition.

It mirrors the same flawed logic used by the U.S. where “protecting Americans” is cited to rationalize operations in places like Iran or Venezuela, despite no invasion of the United States ever occurring!

47 minutes ago, webfact said:

Israel signalled it could create a “defensive buffer”

"Illegal occupation"

Long-term forced civilian displacement is a war crime under the fourth Geneva convention and Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.

But we all know how much they love committing their war crimes. 🙂

Interesting to see a lot of Western media headlined it as Israeli troops crossover into Lebanon.

Russian troops invade Ukraine.

Israeli troops crossover into another country's sovereign territory and remove an estimated one million civilians living there.

Israel has issued sweeping evacuation orders for dozens of villages and towns across southern Lebanon, demanding residents move north of the Litani River and sometimes as far as the Zahrani River. These orders cover roughly 15% of the country.

Commendable that the Australia government "warns" against the occupation ,

but they forgot to mention what they will DO when their warnings are ignored .

Sanctions ? Boycott ?

I was surprised to read that about 15,000 Australians are living in Lebanon.

How bad must it be in Australia to go live in Lebanon ?

13 minutes ago, FlorC said:

Commendable that the Australia government "warns" against the occupation ,

but they forgot to mention what they will DO when their warnings are ignored .

Sanctions ? Boycott ?

I was surprised to read that about 15,000 Australians are living in Lebanon.

How bad must it be in Australia to go live in Lebanon ?

Lebanon is one of the most beautiful countries, the Riviera of the Middle East before the civil war. Beautiful mountains, the Bekaa Valley and exquisite blonde Lebanese.

Sheer imperialism. Bibi is licking his lips over Greater Israel.

248,000 Australians have Lebanese ancestry. They are derided as "Lebos" by white Aussies.

2 minutes ago, unblocktheplanet said:

Lebanon is one of the most beautiful countries, the Riviera of the Middle East before the civil war. Beautiful mountains, the Bekaa Valley and exquisite blonde Lebanese.

Sheer imperialism. Bibi is licking his lips over Greater Israel.

A country between the devil in the south , ISIS in the north and east.

Everyday israel bombs it.

Yet 15.000 aussies like it.

Good to see some people in Australia have the backbone to stand up against this genocidal regime.

Back it up with actions - not just more words.

Radical Zionists are responsible for the chaos in the Middle East that is causing economic disruption worldwide.

21 hours ago, webfact said:

Australia’s foreign minister, Penny Wong, has told Israel that Canberra supports Lebanon’s sovereignty and opposes any occupation of territory in the country’s south.

Get today's headlines by email

Wong delivered the message in a conversation with Israeli foreign minister Gideon Sa’ar after Israel signalled it could create a “defensive buffer” in southern Lebanon to counter the Iran-backed armed group Hezbollah.

Australia warns against occupation

The remarks came as regional tensions remained high, with Israel continuing military operations linked to the wider conflict involving Iran.

Wong said Australia was deeply concerned about the spread of violence in Lebanon and the humanitarian impact on civilians.

“Australia is gravely concerned at the expansion of the conflict in Lebanon, the loss of life and displacement of more than one million civilians,” she said.

She also stressed that Australia did not support Israeli control of Lebanese territory.

“Australia supports Lebanon’s sovereignty – so we do not want to see occupation of southern Lebanon by Israel,” Wong said.

Israel stresses security concerns

Sa’ar said he had outlined Israel’s security concerns during the conversation, pointing to ongoing attacks launched from Lebanon.

He said Israel faced large-scale missile, rocket and drone strikes against communities in its north.

According to Sa’ar, Israel was acting to defend its population and restore security in areas where residents had been displaced by the fighting.

He also criticised the Lebanese government, saying it had not taken effective action against Hezbollah to stop attacks targeting Israeli civilians.

Israel’s defence minister, Israel Katz, previously indicated that Israeli forces could maintain control over bridges and a security zone extending to the Litani River, roughly 30 kilometres north of Israel’s border.

Australians urged to leave Lebanon

Wong also renewed warnings for Australians currently in Lebanon.

She urged citizens to leave the country while travel remained possible and safe.

“Please do not wait until it’s too late,” she said.

Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade estimates about 15,000 Australians are living in Lebanon.

Since the outbreak of the regional war, more than 8,000 Australians and permanent residents have returned home from across the Middle East.

The Australian government recently announced an additional 5 million Australian dollars in humanitarian assistance to support civilians affected by the fighting in Lebanon, particularly women and children.

Wider tensions remain

The discussion between Wong and Sa’ar also touched on several issues straining relations between the two countries.

Among them were statements by Israel’s finance minister, Bezalel Smotrich, who has advocated establishing a new border with Lebanon along the Litani River.

Smotrich was sanctioned by Australia last year.

Diplomatic tensions have also persisted after Israel revoked visas for Australian diplomats stationed at Canberra’s mission to the Palestinian Authority in Ramallah. The office has remained closed for more than seven months.

Officials from the government of Anthony Albanese continue to press Israel to restore access.

Australia also raised concerns over rising settler violence in the West Bank and recent Israeli measures tightening control over the territory.

Join the discussion?

Already a member?

Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 27 March 2026

View full

20 hours ago, FlorC said:

A country between the devil in the south , ISIS in the north and east.

Everyday israel bombs it.

Yet 15.000 aussies like it.

If the alternative is moving back to woke,repressive Australia,then there's a difficult choice to make.

I hope the government doesn’t open the floodgates and allow Middle Eastern refugees come to Australia like they did in the 1970s. I comprehend their difficulties but, history shows that they bring their troubles/problems from their country to the host country. Why don’t other Arab, Islamic countries take them in as refugees?

Hmmm, what warnings did the Aussie Convicts give to the Aborigines years ago? Did they compensate them for the extra real estate stolen? No one in Australia can tell Israel anything about occupying land...look in the mirror.

When they say Australians living in Lebanon, many middle eastern people went to and worked in Australia and many claimed citizenship. After they retire and have been in Australia for a certain number of years they can then return to Lebanon on an Australian pension and probably live a good life on the Aust. dollar conversion.

1 hour ago, Taboo2 said:

Hmmm, what warnings did the Aussie Convicts give to the Aborigines years ago?

Those convicts were from England!

On 3/27/2026 at 1:07 PM, BonnieandClyde said:

Good to see some people in Australia have the backbone to stand up against this genocidal regime.

Back it up with actions - not just more words.

Radical Zionists are responsible for the chaos in the Middle East that is causing economic disruption worldwide.

And why is there so much airport security? The actions will be a lot more muslims moving to Australia. The "radical Zionists" cause the downing of the World Trade Center too?

On 3/27/2026 at 12:47 PM, unblocktheplanet said:

Lebanon is one of the most beautiful countries, the Riviera of the Middle East before the civil war. Beautiful mountains, the Bekaa Valley and exquisite blonde Lebanese.

Sheer imperialism. Bibi is licking his lips over Greater Israel.

248,000 Australians have Lebanese ancestry. They are derided as "Lebos" by white Aussies.

You forgot to mention Hezbollah as the cause and the fact that the Lebanese gov has done nothing to stop them.

5 hours ago, Jack Hammer said:

I hope the government doesn’t open the floodgates and allow Middle Eastern refugees come to Australia like they did in the 1970s. I comprehend their difficulties but, history shows that they bring their troubles/problems from their country to the host country. Why don’t other Arab, Islamic countries take them in as refugees?

35% of Lebanese are Christians. Islamic countries might be wandering why aren't the Christian, White countries taking them in as refugees.

Meanwhile, nearly 800,000 refugees are in Lebanon, including about 5,000 non-Muslim refugees from Sudan and Ethiopia.

Are you blaming the kindertransport refugeees who arrived in Australia on HMT Duntera for Australia's involvement in WW2?

On 3/27/2026 at 12:32 PM, FlorC said:

Commendable that the Australia government "warns" against the occupation ,

but they forgot to mention what they will DO when their warnings are ignored .

Sanctions ? Boycott ?

I was surprised to read that about 15,000 Australians are living in Lebanon.

How bad must it be in Australia to go live in Lebanon ?

On 3/27/2026 at 12:32 PM, FlorC said:

Commendable that the Australia government "warns" against the occupation ,

but they forgot to mention what they will DO when their warnings are ignored .

Sanctions ? Boycott ?

I was surprised to read that about 15,000 Australians are living in Lebanon.

How bad must it be in Australia to go live in Lebanon ?

On 3/27/2026 at 12:32 PM, FlorC said:

Commendable that the Australia government "warns" against the occupation ,

but they forgot to mention what they will DO when their warnings are ignored .

Sanctions ? Boycott ?

I was surprised to read that about 15,000 Australians are living in Lebanon.

How bad must it be in Australia to go live in Lebanon ?

When you look at the cost of living in Australia probably a lot cheaper.

Perhaps Wong should tell the Iran financed and supported Hezbollah to stop firing missiles into Israel then Israel wouldn't need to take such action.

1 hour ago, koolkarl said:

You forgot to mention Hezbollah as the cause and the fact that the Lebanese gov has done nothing to stop them.

That's not really true. The 1989 Taif Accords required all militias to disarm. Post civil war, the Lebanese government institutions remained weak. The government has at times attempted to disarm Hezbollah, with only little success. The Lebanese Civil War was horrendous, and its amazing a Lebanese state emerged. If you knew anything about the ethnic composition of Lebanon you'd understand why the reach of the Beirut government is so weak.

Total strength of the Lebanese Armed Forces; 80,000 tops. They are concerned with not just South Lebanon, but also what's happening in Syria. During the civil war, Syria basically invaded Lebanon, and brutally occupied the northern part. They might do it again. Same thugs.

Hezbollah, fully mobilized, can muster 60-80,000 men, and all of them concentrated in south Lebanon.This is the reality. To essentially invade the south, to take back control, the Lebanese will need to expand there military 2 fold, maybe 3 fold. Because it likely couldn't really recruit from the south for this operation against a predominantly southern militia, they would likely need the numbers from the Christian heartland, turning the army back into a sectarian grouping, or thats the fear, kicking off the civil war again.

The Lebanese Civil War saw basically 3 groups; the Christian Falangists, the sunni Druze and the Shia Amal militia duke it out. Hezbollah emerged after Israel entered Lebanon, chasing Arafat's PLO, enabled by the SLA; a Christian-Shia militia who then went nuts in Sabra and Shatilla, massacring not only Palestinian women and kinds, but also Shia. 3500 at least perished.

It is really hard for the Lebanese government to take on Hezbollah, given historical realities. Israel has never offered to help the Beirut government enforce control in the south. The suspicion in some quarters is that it suits some Israeli politicians to keep Hezbollah around, like Hamas, because it means their other policies come under less scrutiny to the electorate, and it allows them to pursue certain expansionist agendas.

The lessons from major civil wars in the modern era is that it takes some major international stewardship to support peach and normalisation. Afghanistan is an extreme example. As soon as thr Soviets left, the US lost interest, let the place fall into a brutal civil war that destroyed all state institutions, that ultimately created the conditions for a group to plot and attack America directly. In Iraq, inadequate postwar planning by invading parties lead to the Iraqi Republican Guard (who had been all sacked by the Americans) essentially rebranding itself ISIS, waging the most brutal of civil wars. Ditto Libya and Syria. Yugoslavia is an exception. Yugoslavia was an example of how Europeans can out savage, outfight anyone, a reminder of how much Europe loved killing people. In just a few years, a modern, liberal state descended into full on death camps and savagry. The emergence of Serbia, Croatia, Boznia, Macedonia, and Slovenia as peaceful nations took hard hard graft by the outside powers, staying the course, and maintaining attention that they never did elsewhere. Its a model how it should have happened in Lebanon, but instead, Lebanon was the victim of a 4-way between US/NATO, USSR, Israel, Iran. In 4 way spit roasts, someone comes out of that really torn up.

2 hours ago, koolkarl said:

You forgot to mention Hezbollah as the cause and the fact that the Lebanese gov has done nothing to stop them.

The cause is Israel long before Hezbollah or Hamas. Israeli occupation in 1978 and again from 1982 to 2000. Again in 2006 and then again in 2024. Merciless and unjustified attacks on a foreign nation. Want Hezbollah? Go in and get 'em. Stop carper bombing civilians with white phosforus.

1 hour ago, StevieAus said:

Perhaps Wong should tell the Iran financed and supported Hezbollah to stop firing missiles into Israel then Israel wouldn't need to take such action.

Do you mean firing rockets into the occupied Palestinian territory. You might need to check your geography.

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8 hours ago, Taboo2 said:

Hmmm, what warnings did the Aussie Convicts give to the Aborigines years ago? Did they compensate them for the extra real estate stolen? No one in Australia can tell Israel anything about occupying land...look in the mirror.

They weren't Aussie convicts. They were British criminals. You look in your mirror.

They were sent there after the mighty British Empire couldn't send them to what is now the USA after they got beaten in the War of Independence.

Study history.

One of Britain's greatest exports....ne'er do wells...and it seems it has expanded to include Thailand.

1 hour ago, emptypockets said:

They weren't Aussie convicts. They were British criminals. You look in your mirror.

They were sent there after the mighty British Empire couldn't send them to what is now the USA after they got beaten in the War of Independence.

Study history.

One of Britain's greatest exports....ne'er do wells...and it seems it has expanded to include Thailand.

The poster referred to those convicts who recreived a ticket of leave, where they were given the choice of a ticket back home, or free land. I doubt the free land was legally purchase for settling on. Once settled, these people faced continued discrimination from the settlers who hadn't committed crimes to get there. The so-called exclusives would still call them convicts. Once settled in Australia, its reasonable to call them Australian. We called Americans Americans long before independance.

On 3/27/2026 at 1:47 PM, unblocktheplanet said:

Lebanon is one of the most beautiful countries, the Riviera of the Middle East before the civil war. Beautiful mountains, the Bekaa Valley and exquisite blonde Lebanese.

Sheer imperialism. Bibi is licking his lips over Greater Israel.

248,000 Australians have Lebanese ancestry. They are derided as "Lebos" by white Aussies.

Not by me

On 3/27/2026 at 12:17 PM, Jim Waldron said:

Australia’s warning to Israel underscores what should be obvious: you cannot claim “self‑defence” while invading and occupying another sovereign nation’s territory.

Israel’s stated plan to seize southern Lebanon up to the Litani River, thereby displacing more than a million civilians in the process, is not defensive by any meaningful definition.

It mirrors the same flawed logic used by the U.S. where “protecting Americans” is cited to rationalize operations in places like Iran or Venezuela, despite no invasion of the United States ever occurring!

I was in Lebanon back in Summer 1969, long before Hezbollah. At that time there was no government for 6 months and Israeli warplanes were flying over often. A friend told me that Israel wanted the land up to the Litani River. One motive was the water.

On 3/27/2026 at 3:17 PM, Jim Waldron said:

Australia’s warning to Israel underscores what should be obvious: you cannot claim “self‑defence” while invading and occupying another sovereign nation’s territory.

Israel’s stated plan to seize southern Lebanon up to the Litani River, thereby displacing more than a million civilians in the process, is not defensive by any meaningful definition.

It mirrors the same flawed logic used by the U.S. where “protecting Americans” is cited to rationalize operations in places like Iran or Venezuela, despite no invasion of the United States ever occurring!

Wow , they are strog words from penny wrong. I'm sure that Israil will surrender their ams and withdraw their troops immediately. They would be shivering in their boots after that ultimation from penny wrong who is never right but when she speaks everybody sh@ts themselves. Such leso powershe posseses.

13 hours ago, Roadsternut said:

The poster referred to those convicts who recreived a ticket of leave, where they were given the choice of a ticket back home, or free land. I doubt the free land was legally purchase for settling on. Once settled, these people faced continued discrimination from the settlers who hadn't committed crimes to get there. The so-called exclusives would still call them convicts. Once settled in Australia, its reasonable to call them Australian. We called Americans Americans long before independance.

Australia is a big place but the Kooris should have chased off those White devils.

6 hours ago, placnx said:

I was in Lebanon back in Summer 1969, long before Hezbollah. At that time there was no government for 6 months and Israeli warplanes were flying over often. A friend told me that Israel wanted the land up to the Litani River. One motive was the water.

Hippie trail? Those were good times. O-tea!

Israel's imperialistic crusades have only hardened with time. They think they can displace people by force, or kill them and take their land.

Islam is often called a religion of violence. Rather than combatting that violence with peace, Judaism descided it was a great idea to adopt the practice. Didn't work for Islamic terrorist, won't work for Israeli terrorists.

Even if Israel gets all it wants, the people under their jackboots will also never give up.

On 3/28/2026 at 2:49 PM, koolkarl said:

You forgot to mention Hezbollah as the cause and the fact that the Lebanese gov has done nothing to stop them.

And the cause for the existence of Hezbollah was Israel's occupation of Lebanon.

7 hours ago, wavodavo said:

Wow , they are strog words from penny wrong. I'm sure that Israil will surrender their ams and withdraw their troops immediately. They would be shivering in their boots after that ultimation from penny wrong who is never right but when she speaks everybody sh@ts themselves. Such leso powershe posseses.

She might be a dyke but lately is showing more brains than your comments.