Australian Representative in Ramallah

  • Media release

Today I announce the appointment of Mr Edward Russell as Australia’s next Representative to the Palestinian Territories.

A key part of Mr Russell’s role will be ongoing support for the Middle East Peace Process. As part of this process, Australia will continue its advocacy for a negotiated two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, in which Israel and a future Palestinian state coexist in peace and security.

Mr Russell will also ensure Australia’s development assistance to the Palestinian Territories responds to the humanitarian and development needs of the Palestinian people.

Mr Russell is a career officer with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and was most recently Assistant Director, Levant Section, Middle East and Africa Division. He has previously served overseas in Lebanon and Solomon Islands.

Mr Russell holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours)/Law (Honours) from Monash University.

I thank outgoing Australian Representative Mark Bailey for his contributions to advancing Australia’s interests in the Palestinian Territories since 2019.

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