Australia’s new ambassador to Israel takes up his post

Australia’s new ambassador to Israel, Neil Hawkins, has formally taken up his post after presenting his credentials to President Isaac Herzog in Jerusalem in mid‑May.

Neil Hawkins (right), Australia’s new ambassador to Israel presents his credentials to President Herzog (photo: supplied)

In a ceremony at the President’s Residence, complete with national anthems and a military honour guard, Hawkins was welcomed as Australia’s 25th ambassador to Israel, with both sides highlighting the long‑standing relationship and future cooperation between the two countries.

Hawkins was appointed on 8 February 2026 by Foreign Minister Penny Wong. He is a senior career officer with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and was most recently Australia’s High Commissioner to Pakistan. He has also served as ambassador to Egypt and ambassador to Saudi Arabia. He succeeds Ralph King, who had served as Australia’s ambassador to Israel since 2023.

Wong’s announcement framed the appointment around Australia’s historic connection to Israel, noting that Australia cast the first vote at the United Nations in 1947 in favour of the partition plan that led to Israel’s creation in 1948. She also said strong people-to-people links remained central to the relationship, citing Australia’s Jewish community and cooperation in innovation, technology, trade, investment and commerce.