Australia Considers Ukraine Peacekeeping Role as Israel Relations Hit Historic Low
Coalition senator says Australia should weigh peacekeeping contribution while diplomatic crisis with Israel reaches worst point since 1948
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Australia should consider providing peacekeepers for Ukraine if requested by allies, while the nation's relationship with Israel has deteriorated to its worst point since the Jewish state's creation, a senior Coalition senator said Tuesday.
Senator James Paterson told ABC News that Australia would examine any request from NATO partners for a "symbolic contribution" to Ukrainian peacekeeping efforts, following a historic Washington summit between President Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders.
"We're clearly not a central player in this conflict, but we do have a very strong interest in making sure that this isn't just a pause in Vladimir Putin's war that is resumed at a later date," Paterson said during the morning interview.
The comments come as Australia grapples with a deepening diplomatic crisis with Israel, sparked by Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke's decision to block a visa for visiting Israeli Knesset member Simcha Rothman. Israel responded by revoking visas for Australian diplomatic representatives to the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank.
"There's no question that Australia's bilateral relationship with Israel is the worst it has ever been since the creation of the State of Israel following World War II," Paterson said. "And the expulsion, effectively, of our diplomats from the West Bank is extremely regrettable."
The senator questioned whether Burke consulted Foreign Minister Penny Wong or Prime Minister Anthony Albanese before making the visa decision, calling it "a very big call" that required consideration of diplomatic implications.
"Did he discuss it with the Prime Minister? Was the National Security Committee of Cabinet convened to discuss this?" Paterson asked. "This is not a decision to be taken lightly and all the implications should have been considered and it's not clear that that occurred."
Ukraine Peacekeeping Proposal
On Ukraine, Paterson said Australia should consider contributing to any post-conflict peacekeeping arrangement, though he emphasized the "heavy lifting would be done by NATO."
"We're a partner of NATO, and if we're asked to make a contribution, we should consider it," he said, when asked about potential Australian peacekeepers in a non-combat role.
The senator described the Washington summit as potentially "a constructive step towards peace in Ukraine," while noting that "what we need for peace in Ukraine is for Vladimir Putin and Russia to end their illegal invasion."
He acknowledged concerns about Trump's treatment of Putin but said the peace process deserved a chance to succeed.
"Of course, a lot of people are unsettled to see a dictator and an aggressor treated in a way that conveys respect," Paterson said. "But if it achieves an outcome and ends a bloody war, then I think we should give it the opportunity to succeed."
For any durable peace, "security guarantees for Ukraine are going to be necessary," led by the United States and European partners, he added.
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Diplomatic Fallout Intensifies
The Israel visa controversy centers on Rothman, a member of Israel's ruling Likud party and chairman of the Knesset's Constitution, Law and Justice Committee. Burke blocked his visa application, though specific reasons were not detailed in the interview.
Paterson said while he disagreed with Rothman's political positions, particularly regarding Gaza and the two-state solution, blocking a parliamentary visitor required careful consideration.
"I'm sure there would be things that he has said that I would disagree with. I certainly disagree with his political party and his leader when it comes to Gaza and the two-state solution," he said.
The diplomatic tensions reflect broader strains in Australia-Israel relations amid the ongoing Gaza conflict. Australia has been critical of Israeli military operations while maintaining support for Israel's right to defend itself.
Economic Policy Discussions
Shifting to domestic issues, Paterson highlighted potential outcomes from the government's upcoming economic roundtable, particularly around housing construction regulations.
The senator suggested Labor might adopt a Coalition election policy to freeze the National Construction Code for a decade, calling it "one of the biggest pieces of red tape imposed at the national level on housing and construction."
"It makes it slower and more expensive to build houses in this country," he said, noting the policy was "ridiculed by Labor during the election, but it looks like they've had a change of heart."
AI Regulation Debate
On artificial intelligence regulation, Paterson expressed support for "sensible regulation" while warning against union interference in AI workplace deployment.
"I am concerned about demands from the union movement that they should have a veto power as to whether AI is rolled out in the workplace," he said. "If that's the case, that'll only hold Australia's economy back."
He called AI "overwhelmingly a positive thing for Australia" that offers opportunities to "significantly increase productivity if it's deployed effectively in the private sector."
The senator urged Treasurer Jim Chalmers to "resist that pressure from some in the union movement and in his own government" regarding AI workplace controls.
International Implications
The Ukrainian peacekeeping discussion comes as international partners seek ways to ensure any ceasefire agreement includes robust enforcement mechanisms. Australia has provided significant military and humanitarian aid to Ukraine since Russia's February 2022 invasion, including Bushmaster protected vehicles and training programs.
The Israel diplomatic crisis represents one of the most serious bilateral disputes in decades, potentially affecting intelligence sharing, defense cooperation and trade relationships worth billions annually.
Paterson's comments suggest the Coalition views both foreign policy challenges as requiring careful balance between supporting allies while maintaining Australia's strategic interests in an increasingly complex international environment.
The government has not yet responded to Paterson's specific criticisms regarding the visa decision-making process or provided details about potential Ukrainian peacekeeping contributions.
The economic roundtable, scheduled for later this month, aims to address productivity challenges and housing affordability issues that have dominated domestic political debate throughout 2025.
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