Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has firmly rejected claims that Australia’s recognition of a Palestinian state fueled antisemitism, dismissing accusations made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu following the deadly attack targeting a Jewish gathering at Bondi Beach in Sydney.
Speaking to Australia’s public broadcaster ABC, Albanese said he does not see any connection between the recognition of Palestine and the antisemitic violence that shocked the country. His comments came after Netanyahu suggested that recent diplomatic decisions may have contributed to rising antisemitism.
“I do not accept that there is a link between these two issues,” Albanese told ABC, emphasizing that acts of violence and hatred must be confronted directly and unequivocally, regardless of international political developments.
The Australian prime minister further underlined that the two-state solution remains widely recognized by the international community as the most viable path toward lasting peace in the Middle East.
Australia officially recognized the State of Palestine in September, joining a growing group of countries, including the United Kingdom, Canada, and France, in what Albanese described as a principled foreign policy decision grounded in international consensus and long-term stability.
