Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu labeled Anthony Albanese a “weak politician” after Australia recognized Palestine, sparking a diplomatic clash in the Israel - Palestine conflict.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu launched a harsh rebuke against his Australian counterpart, Anthony Albanese, calling him “a weak politician who has betrayed Israel” following his government’s decision to formally recognize a Palestinian state at the upcoming United Nations General Assembly in September.
Netanyahu’s statement, posted Tuesday on social media, marks a new escalation in bilateral tensions, which have rapidly deteriorated since Albanese’s August 11 announcement.
“History will remember Albanese for what he is: a weak politician who betrayed Israel and abandoned the Jews of Australia,” Netanyahu wrote.
Albanese quickly responded on Wednesday, dismissing the criticism and defending his government’s position. “I treat leaders of other countries with respect. I engage with them diplomatically. I don’t take these things personally,” he said.
Albanese also emphasized growing global concern about ending the cycle of violence in the Israel – Palestine conflict, something he argued Australians also want to see.
Tensions escalated further when Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke canceled the visa of far-right Israeli lawmaker Simcha Rothman, a member of Netanyahu’s coalition, who had planned a speaking tour in Australia.
Rothman belongs to the Religious Zionism party, which advocates continuing the war, relocating Palestinians under what it calls “voluntary migration,” and reestablishing Jewish settlements in Gaza.
Burke accused Netanyahu of “lashing out” at multiple countries that have recognized Palestine — including the UK, Canada, France, Ireland, Norway, and Spain — and argued that Albanese is not weak. “Strength is not measured by how many people you can blow up or how many children you can leave hungry,” Burke told ABC.
In retaliation, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar revoked visas for Australian representatives to the Palestinian Authority and ordered Israel’s embassy in Canberra to scrutinize any official visa requests from Australia more closely.
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong fired back, accusing Netanyahu’s government of isolating Israel with its confrontational approach.
Meanwhile, antisemitism has reached record levels in Australia, leading the government in 2023 to appoint its first Special Envoy to Combat Antisemitism, Sydney lawyer Jillian Segal.
Politically, the conservative opposition has vowed to reverse recognition of Palestine if it wins the 2028 election. Opposition leader Sussan Ley warned that strained ties with Israel could also affect Australia’s relationship with the United States, a key ally that does not recognize a Palestinian state.
“The prime minister needs to explain how he plans to repair this relationship with Israel, which he has managed so poorly,” Ley told reporters.
The clash between Netanyahu and Albanese highlights not just bilateral tensions but also a shifting global stance on the Israel – Palestine conflict.
Australia’s recognition of Palestine adds to mounting international pressure on Israel, while Netanyahu’s government maintains that any resolution must prioritize Israel’s security and the elimination of Hamas.
Major pro-Palestinian protests, including tens of thousands marching across Sydney’s Harbour Bridge earlier this month, reflect growing domestic divisions over the Israel – Palestine conflict.
In this context, the diplomatic confrontation could reverberate far beyond Canberra and Jerusalem, influencing the geopolitical landscape and shaping international perceptions of the decades-long conflict.
