Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong will use her address to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) to call for the international community to come together amid more conflict on Earth than any time since World War II.

This is the third year in a row that Senator Wong will speak at the UNGA, though this time she will warn that “so much of the human family [is] enshrouded in darkness”.

“Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Sudan. Myanmar. Yemen. Gaza. And now Lebanon,” Senator Wong will say, according to a draft of her speech made available to the media.

“Brutal, degrading conflict ingraining hatred and division; pushing peace into the unseeable distance; and pulling neighbours into an endless, reflexive cycle of blame and retaliation.”

The senator will say the type of world we want is further from reach because too many countries are not abiding by the rules to which member states have agreed.

“We must remember why we built this institution,” Senator Wong will say.

“The UN system is where the world comes together to agree and uphold standards and rules; to protect all of the world’s peoples and the sovereignty of all nations.

“These rules always matter — never more so than in times of conflict — when they help guide us out of darkness, back toward light.”

‘Lebanon cannot become the next Gaza’

Senator Wong will use her speech to say that “Lebanon cannot become the next Gaza”. 

“We know Australia is not a central player in the Middle East, but we seek to be a constructive voice for peace and the upholding of international law, including the protection of civilians,” she will say. 

Israeli strikes over the past week have hit hundreds of targets in southern Lebanon and much deeper into the country, killing more than 550 people.

Tens of thousands of people on both sides of the border have fled their homes, leaving large areas mostly deserted. 

Israel and Hezbollah have been exchanging almost daily fire for almost a year since the Iranian-backed group launched a barrage of missiles immediately after the Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. 

Western nations, including Australia, have called for a 21-day temporary ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah to make way for broader negotiations. 

But Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denied reports the deal was imminent, saying he had instructed the Israeli military to “continue fighting with full force”.

‘War has rules’ 

In her speech, Senator Wong will pay tribute to the 1,200 people who died during the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel last October. 

“This was the greatest loss of Jewish life in a single day since the Holocaust, and Hamas continues to hold hostages,” she will say. 

“It was an attack that cannot and should not be justified. Like many countries, Australia has imposed sanctions on Hamas, its leaders and financial facilitators.” 

But she will also say that “Palestinian civilians cannot be made to pay the price of defeating Hamas”. 

More than 40,000 people have been killed in Gaza since Israel’s war against Hamas began, according to local health authorities.

“War has rules. Every country in this room must abide by them. Even when confronting terrorists. Even when defending borders,” Senator Wong will say. 

“Israel must comply with the binding orders of the International Court of Justice, including to enable the provision of basic services and humanitarian assistance at scale.” 

Earlier this year, Australia voted “Yes”, along with 143 nations at the UNGA, for Palestine to become a full member of the organisation by recognising it as qualified to join.

“As I have said for many months, Australia no longer sees Palestinian recognition as the destination of a peace process, but a contribution of momentum towards peace,” Senator Wong will say. 

“Australia wants to engage on new ways to build momentum, including the role of the UN Security Council in setting a pathway for two states, with a clear timeline for the international declaration of Palestinian statehood.” 

‘Gaza is the most dangerous place on Earth to be an aid worker’ 

Senator Wong will also use her address to call for better protections for aid workers.

It follows the killing of Australian aid worker Zomi Frankcom in Gaza earlier this year.

Ms Frankcom was working with the World Central Kitchen charity to deliver food and other supplies to northern Gaza when her convoy was hit by an Israeli drone strike in April.

The Australian was one of seven aid workers killed in the attack, which the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) described as a “mistake that followed a misidentification”.

“Gaza is the most dangerous place on Earth to be an aid worker,” Senator Wong will say. 

“Australia felt this deeply with the IDF’s strike against World Central Kitchen vehicles, which killed Australian Zomi Frankcom and her colleagues.

“This was not a one-off incident. More than 300 aid workers have been killed since the start of this conflict.”

While in New York for the UNGA, the foreign minister met with ministerial counterparts and international humanitarian organisations to advocate for greater protections. 

ABC/Reuters