Israel’s Netanyahu Accuses Australia’s Leader of Betrayal
Following many days of increasing tension between the two nations, Israel's prime minister charged that his Australian counterpart had "betrayed Israel" and "abandoned" Australia's Jewish community.
According to Benjamin Netanyahu, Anthony Albanese would be remembered by history "for what he is: a weak politician" on Tuesday.
A far-right member of Netanyahu's ruling coalition was denied entry into Australia on Monday, and Israel canceled the visas of Australian officials to the Palestinian Authority.
After Canberra recently announced it will join the UK, France, and Canada in recognizing a Palestinian state, Australian Immigration Minister Tony Burke said Netanyahu was "lashing out" as a result.
According to Benjamin Netanyahu, Anthony Albanese would be remembered by history "for what he is: a weak politician" on Tuesday.
A far-right member of Netanyahu's ruling coalition was denied entry into Australia on Monday, and Israel canceled the visas of Australian officials to the Palestinian Authority.
After Canberra recently announced it will join the UK, France, and Canada in recognizing a Palestinian state, Australian Immigration Minister Tony Burke said Netanyahu was "lashing out" as a result.
On Wednesday, Burke told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, "The number of people you can blow up or leave hungry is not a measure of strength."
Reporters were then informed by Albanese that he did not "take these things personally."
"I treat leaders of other countries with respect, I engage with them in a diplomatic way," stated the president.
Criticizing Netanyahu's comments, Israel's opposition leader called them a "gift" to the Australian leader.
On X, Yair Lapid wrote: "A fight with Netanyahu, the most politically toxic leader in the Western world, is what most strengthens a leader in the democratic world today.
"It is unclear why Bibi is rushing to give the Prime Minister of Australia this gift."
Reporters were then informed by Albanese that he did not "take these things personally."
"I treat leaders of other countries with respect, I engage with them in a diplomatic way," stated the president.
Criticizing Netanyahu's comments, Israel's opposition leader called them a "gift" to the Australian leader.
On X, Yair Lapid wrote: "A fight with Netanyahu, the most politically toxic leader in the Western world, is what most strengthens a leader in the democratic world today.
"It is unclear why Bibi is rushing to give the Prime Minister of Australia this gift."
What is meant by acknowledging a Palestinian state
On Monday, diplomatic tensions increased when Simcha Rothman, a far-right Israeli politician, had his Australian visa revoked before his scheduled visit, during which he was scheduled to give speeches at events hosted by the Australian Jewish Association (AJA).
Burke informed the local media that the administration took "a hard line" against those who wanted to "spread division" during the time.
"If you are coming to Australia to spread a message of hate and division, we don't want you here," he added.
Burke also refused to grant a visa to Ayelet Shaked, a right-wing lawmaker who left the Israeli parliament in 2022 and served as the country's former justice minister, last year.
Israel’s Foreign Affairs Minister Gideon Sa’ar stated that he had directed the Israeli Embassy in Canberra to "carefully examine any official Australian visa application for entry to Israel" just hours after the announcement of Rothman’s visa revocation.
He wrote on X that "While antisemitism is raging in Australia, including manifestations of violence against Jews and Jewish institutions, the Australian government is choosing to fuel it" .
In Australia, which has one of the highest concentrations of Holocaust survivors per capita in the world, there have been several antisemitic incidents in recent months.
According to the AJA on Tuesday, Rothman will still participate virtually in their speaking event.
He wrote on X that "While antisemitism is raging in Australia, including manifestations of violence against Jews and Jewish institutions, the Australian government is choosing to fuel it" .
In Australia, which has one of the highest concentrations of Holocaust survivors per capita in the world, there have been several antisemitic incidents in recent months.
According to the AJA on Tuesday, Rothman will still participate virtually in their speaking event.
It stated on social media that "the Jewish community won't bow down to Tony Burke or [Foreign Minister] Penny Wong."
When Australia declared its intention to recognize a Palestinian state in early August, Prime Minister Albanese claimed that Netanyahu was "in denial" about the war's toll on innocent people.
"The stopping of aid that we've seen and then the loss of life that we're seeing around those aid distribution points, where people queuing for food and water are losing their lives, is just completely unacceptable," he added.
Approximately two weeks after the UK, France, and Canada made similar announcements, Australia said that 147 of the 193 member states of the UN now recognize the state of Palestine.
When Australia declared its intention to recognize a Palestinian state in early August, Prime Minister Albanese claimed that Netanyahu was "in denial" about the war's toll on innocent people.
"The stopping of aid that we've seen and then the loss of life that we're seeing around those aid distribution points, where people queuing for food and water are losing their lives, is just completely unacceptable," he added.
Approximately two weeks after the UK, France, and Canada made similar announcements, Australia said that 147 of the 193 member states of the UN now recognize the state of Palestine.
Mark Carney, Emmanuel Macron, and Sir Keir Starmer were all accused by Netanyahu of supporting "mass murderers, rapists, baby killers, and kidnappers" in his harsh attack on the leaders of the three nations.
Since October 7th, Israel's military operation has killed over 62,064 individuals, the health ministry operated by Hamas said.
The raid, which was led by Hamas and resulted in around 1,200 deaths and 251 hostage-takings, prompted Israel to initiate the offensive.
Since October 7th, Israel's military operation has killed over 62,064 individuals, the health ministry operated by Hamas said.
The raid, which was led by Hamas and resulted in around 1,200 deaths and 251 hostage-takings, prompted Israel to initiate the offensive.