“This is not Israel’s struggle alone” – ambassador frames Iran war as global fight for democracy

Israel’s ambassador to Australia, Hillel Newman, has warned the war with Iran is a defining test for democracies worldwide, arguing the conflict is already reshaping global security, energy markets and economic stability far beyond the Middle East.

Addressing the National Press Club in Canberra, Newman said Israel’s campaign alongside the United States was not a regional conflict but part of a broader confrontation between democratic nations and radical regimes.

“This is not Israel’s struggle alone,” he said, explaining how the war also directly affects countries such as Australia.

His remarks come as the Iran conflict drives global fuel volatility and economic pressure, including in Australia, with policymakers warning of inflationary impacts linked to disruptions in oil supply routes.

Newman said Iran’s actions, including threats to the Strait of Hormuz and attacks via proxy groups, were responsible for the instability.

“The responsibility for the disruption of gas and oil supplies lies 100 per cent with Iran and its proxies,” he said.

He described Iran as a “regional and global threat”, pointing to its support for groups including Hezbollah, Hamas and the Houthis.

Newman said weakening Iran could expand regional cooperation and widen agreements, such as the Abraham Accords, opening the way for broader normalisation in the Middle East.

He also warned that Iranian-linked activity had already been detected on Australian soil, arguing that “terror knows no borders”.

Despite the focus on Iran, much of the questioning turned to Israel’s war in Gaza, where Newman strongly rejected claims of genocide.

He dismissed widely cited casualty figures as originating from Hamas and lacking transparency, arguing that once distinctions were made between combatants and civilians, the picture changed significantly.

“In the end you come to a ratio of one to 1.5… That’s the lowest ratio of civilian casualties in urban warfare,” he said.

“There was no genocide in Gaza… in many ways, Israel should be commended for the low number of uninvolved civilians that were actually killed.”

Newman said the October 7 attacks, in which more than 1200 Israelis were killed, marked a turning point that made deterrence impossible.

“It became painfully clear that such threats cannot be managed or contained,” he said.

He also faced sustained questioning over the killing of journalists, including a recent Israeli strike in southern Lebanon.

The strike killed Ali Shoaib of Hezbollah-affiliated Al-Manar TV, Fatima Ftouni and her brother Mohammad Ftouni from Al Mayadeen.

Newman said Israel “has never targeted a journalist just for being a journalist” but claimed two of the three were members of Hezbollah’s elite Radwan force.

“They were members of what is called the Radwan forces of Hezbollah,” he said.

“The third one, we’re not sure about… we assume that because he was with the two, he was also a terrorist with them.”

He said Israel had evidence to support that assessment and defended the use of an altered image by the Israeli Defence Forces as illustrative.

More broadly, he claimed militant groups routinely operate under media cover.

Asked what proportion of those reported killed as journalists were not militants, Newman said: “The honest truth is that we have no way of knowing the exact amount.”

On Lebanon, Newman insisted Israel’s operations were defensive and aimed at stopping rocket attacks on civilians in northern Israel.

“Close to a million citizens of Israel… have to run to shelters,” he said.

He distanced himself from comments by Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich suggesting Israel’s border should shift north, saying such views did not reflect cabinet policy.

“Israel’s actions in Lebanon are 100 per cent defensive,” he said.

On domestic policy, Newman defended new legislation passed by the Knesset allowing the death penalty for certain terrorism offences.

“Just like in the United States, in Japan and in India… Israel has the right, as a sovereign state, to decide,” he said.

He said the law included safeguards such as judicial discretion, appeals and presidential clemency, rejecting claims it mandated automatic execution.

Newman, who grew up in apartheid South Africa, also pushed back on accusations that Israel operates as an apartheid state, citing equal rights for Arab citizens.

“There is no apartheid or separation… all those who are citizens of Israel have equal rights,” he said.

Beyond the geopolitical focus, he warned that antisemitism was rising globally, including in Australia.

“What began as graffiti and vandalism tragically escalated to bullets on Bondi Beach,” he said.

He concluded by urging democratic nations, including Australia, to stand together.

“We share the same values; we share the same threats. We must stand together,” he said.