The government’s new travel advice asks Australians to avoid traveling to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories and to leave the country “while it is safe to do so.”
The new advice from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) comes amid concerns that clashes between Israel and Iranian Islamic extremists in Gaza and Lebanon could spark a major regional war. .
“We advise against travel to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories due to the unstable security situation, armed conflict, civil unrest and terrorism,” the Smart Traveler website, run by DFAT, said.
“If you are in Israel, commercial flights are available, border crossings are open, and you should leave while it is safe.
“The threat of missile and rocket attacks continues in Israel. You should not travel to the Israel-Lebanon border area.”
As the war between Israel and Hezbollah continues, an ambulance leaves the scene of a drone attack near the northern Israeli town of Binyamina. Photo: Oren ZIV/AFP
DFAT has also launched a crisis registration portal for Australians and permanent residents of Israel and the West Bank.
Tensions between Israel and Iran have increased in recent weeks after Israeli forces killed most of the top leaders of the Iranian-backed Lebanese terrorist group Hezbollah.
Several Iranian military officers were also killed or wounded in the fighting against Hezbollah.
In response, Iran fired nearly 200 missiles at Israel, but most of them were intercepted.
However, Israel has vowed to comply, and plans have been floated to attack Iran’s nuclear research facilities and oil production facilities.
Overnight, Al Albanon’s government also announced new sanctions against Iran targeting “five Iranian individuals who contributed to Iran’s missile program.”
Israeli Ambassador to Australia Amir Maimon and Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said Iran would be held responsible. Photo: NewsWire / Martin Olman
“Iran’s missile program poses a serious threat to regional and international security,” Foreign Minister Penny Wong said in a statement on Tuesday.
“Iran’s firing of more than 180 ballistic missiles against Israel on October 1 was a dangerous escalation that increases the risk of a broader regional war.
“Iranian proxies continue to launch daily attacks across the region using missiles and other military equipment provided by Iran. This further demonstrates Iran’s destabilizing role.”
The sanctions targeted two directors and one senior official of Iran Aerospace Industries Organization, a director of Shahid Bagheri Industrial Group and a commercial director of Shahid Hemat Industrial Group.
Australia currently has sanctions against 200 individuals and entities linked to Iran.
“Australia will continue to hold Iran to account for its reckless and destabilizing actions,” said Senator Wong.
