Foreign Minister Penny Wong will visit Israel in a matter of weeks, but the opposition says the trip has come too late.
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As a bipartisan parliamentary delegation prepares to visit the Middle East next week, plans are being made for Senator Wong to make an official visit early next year.
The exact date is yet to be determined.
"Arrangements are being made for the foreign minister to visit the Middle East early in the new year," a spokeswoman for Senator Wong said in a statement.
"Australia has been working with countries that have influence in the region to help protect and support civilians, to help prevent the conflict from spreading and to reinforce the need for the just and enduring peace that all of us want."
Senator Wong's trip would be the first time a cabinet minister had travelled to the region since the conflict between Israel and Hamas - which has been listed as a terrorist organisation by the government - escalated in October.
It will follow a visit from Assistant Foreign Minister Tim Watts, who heads to Israel and Palestine next week.
"My visit is also an opportunity to thank regional countries for their assistance in helping Australians to safely depart the conflict zone and discuss ongoing consular challenges," he said.
Mr Watts will meet with victims of the October 7 attack and Israeli officials.
He will also meet with the Palestinian Authority and United Nations representatives.
A bipartisan delegation of MPs, led by opposition foreign spokesman Simon Birmingham, will also visit the region.
Senator Birmingham said Senator Wong's travel plans came too late.
"Essentially most of Australia's like-minded partner nations have had presidents, prime ministers, foreign or defence ministers already visit Israel," he told Sky News.
"We still don't know the timing of this visit by the foreign minister.
"Of course, we want to see it happen and we want to see it happen as quickly as possible."
Senator Birmingham said a visit was also necessary after Israel updated its travel warnings for its citizens to Australia, citing rising levels of anti-Semitism.
Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said Senator Wong's visit was appropriate.
"We maintain good relations with Israel, as we do with a number of countries in that region," he told reporters in Geelong.
Australian National University academic Ian Parmeter said the optics were not good for the government.
"In principle, the visit by Foreign Minister Wong is a good idea," he told AAP.
"She is to visit Israel, the West Bank and other countries in the region to deliver a range of messages."
These messages included condemnation of Hamas' attack on October 7, serious concern over the deaths of many innocent Palestinians in Israel's assault, and support for a ceasefire and efforts to ensure the conflict does not spread to other parts of the region, he said.
"Speaking directly to her counterparts obviously makes this messaging more effective," Mr Parmeter said.
He said the big problem with the visit was its timing, which seemed reactive to the opposition.
Australian Associated Press
