Penny Wong and Labor are accused of “destroying” the long-standing two-state solution for Israel and Palestine

Penny Wong and Labor have been accused by the opposition of “destroying” Australia’s long-standing two-state approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Following Senator Wong’s address to the UN General Assembly on Saturday, Nationals Senator Bridget McKenzie said the government was “playing domestic politics” by demanding a timetable for a two-state solution.

“It undoes our decades-long approach to a negotiated two-state solution in the Middle East…It actually wants to recognize the state of Palestine before we have negotiated an agreement, and it demands that timelines be set before the terms of an agreement are set “Senator McKenzie told ABC.

“The reality is that Hezbollah is incredibly active on the Lebanese-Israeli border and is constantly attacking Israel.

“Our secretary of state setting timelines really opens the door for these terrorist organizations to essentially run out of time.”

In a television interview, Senator Wong said the growing conflict in Gaza and Lebanon threatened further “regional escalation” following the involvement of the militant Lebanese Islamist group Hezbollah.

The comments came after an Israeli airstrike in southern Beirut killed Hezbollah leader Hazzan Nasrallah on Saturday.

“There is always a risk of further escalation. We have been worried about this for a long time, as have others in the international community,” she said on Sky News.

“We have worked with all possible parties to call for de-escalation and restraint.”

Senator Wong said it was time to end the “cycle of violence” in the region.

“The ultimate goal should be peace and security in the region, peace and security for the Israelis,” she said.

“This requires a two-state solution, which is the only path to long-term peace and security for both Israelis and Palestinians.”

Senator Wong said Israel’s Netanyahu government must “listen to the international community.”

The comments came after she used an address to the United Nations to call for a “clear timetable” for ending the conflict in Gaza.

“I would say to Israel: We want you to listen to the international community. It is true that Hezbollah is a terrorist organization. It is true that they have not complied with UN Security Council resolutions, but we see the terrible loss of life in Gaza. We see 11,000 children killed,” she said.

“The world does not want any more civilians to die. We need to find another way to deal with the legitimate issues surrounding the border.”