Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sharply criticized his Australian counterpart, Anthony Albanese, accusing him of abandoning the Australian Jewish community and betraying Israel. These comments come amid escalating diplomatic tensions following the war in Gaza.
Netanyahu’s remarks followed Israel’s decision to cancel visas for Australian diplomats in the Palestinian Authority, after Australia recognized the State of Palestine and revoked the visa of an Israeli lawmaker. On social media, Netanyahu wrote:
“History will remember Albanese for what he is: a weak politician who betrayed Israel and abandoned Australia’s Jews.”
The Israeli lawmaker had planned to meet with the Australian Jewish community, which has faced a sharp rise in antisemitic attacks since the conflict in Gaza began nearly two years ago.
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong called Israel’s visa ban “unreasonable” and warned that Netanyahu’s government was increasing Israel’s diplomatic isolation.
The international community has been putting growing pressure on Israel due to the high number of civilian casualties in Gaza. According to Gaza’s Ministry of Health, over 62,000 Palestinians have been killed since Israel’s retaliatory military offensive, which followed a Hamas attack on October 7, 2023. The conflict has caused widespread displacement, famine, and allegations of genocide and war crimes at the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court, which Israel denies.
Earlier, on August 12, Albanese criticized Netanyahu for denying the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Australia plans to recognize Palestine at the UN General Assembly in September, following the examples of France, the UK, and Canada—an action Netanyahu warned would reward Hamas.
