Penny Wong will not visit October 7 sites during Middle East visit

It has been revealed Foreign Minister Penny Wong will not visit the sites of the October 7 attacks in southern Israel during her tour of the region this week. The move signals a further departure by the government from its Western allies after voting in favour of an immediate ceasefire at the UN in December. The decision is expected to draw anger from Israeli leadership and some in the Australian Jewish community. Ms Wong will also visit Palestinian victims of settler violence in the West Bank during her visit. This comes as calls mount from within Labor to pressure hardline Israeli settlers.