Israel’s top diplomat prepares to depart after acrimonious posting

Newman, an expert in Jewish history, previously served as Israel’s consul general in Los Angeles and ambassador to Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Sources said he was not aligned to any political party in Israel.

Maimon’s tenure saw Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu personally attack Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on social media and Australia take the historic decision to recognise Palestinian statehood.

Australia broke with the United States to vote against Israel in several United Nations resolutions and the Albanese government angered Israel by denying current and former Israeli politicians visas to travel to Australia.

The April 2024 death of Australian aid worker Zomi Frankcom in an Israeli drone strike in Gaza caused relations to plummet and led Wong to spearhead an international push to enhance protections for aid workers in conflict zones.