Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese faces a fierce diplomatic standoff with Israel after Netanyahu branded him “weak” and accused him of betraying the Jewish community. Image: Sky News Australia.
(The Post News) – Australia has hit back at Israel after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu launched a personal attack on its Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Netanyahu branded the Australian leader “weak” and accused him of betraying the country’s Jewish community. His remarks have ignited one of the most serious diplomatic rifts between the two allies in decades.
The row intensified when Canberra rejected a visa application from right-wing Israeli legislator Simcha Rothman. The Religious Zionism party member planned to deliver public lectures in Sydney and Melbourne. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said the government would not admit anyone seeking to “spread a message of hate and division.”
Israel retaliated quickly by revoking accreditation for Australia’s representatives to the Palestinian Authority. Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar condemned the visa move as “shameful and unacceptable” and accused Canberra of fueling antisemitism.
Heated Words From Both Sides
Netanyahu personally escalated the dispute, posting on X that Albanese had “abandoned Israel and Australia’s Jews.” He declared, “History will remember Albanese for what he is: a weak politician who betrayed Israel.”
Albanese dismissed the insults. Speaking to reporters, he said he would continue to deal with world leaders “diplomatically and with respect.” He added, “I don’t take these things personally.”
Burke responded more forcefully. In an interview with ABC Radio National, he argued that Netanyahu misunderstood strength. “Strength isn’t measured by how many you can blow up or how many hungry children you can leave behind,” Burke said. “Real strength is what Prime Minister Albanese showed, listening to Netanyahu’s protests, speaking directly with him, and then standing firm.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong also criticized Israel’s retaliatory steps. She warned that Israel risked isolating itself and undermining international peace efforts. “These actions do not help progress towards a two-state solution,” Wong said.
The dispute follows Australia’s decision to join Britain, France, and Canada in supporting recognition of a Palestinian state at next month’s United Nations General Assembly. Israel has strongly opposed the move.
Even within Israel, Netanyahu’s comments triggered backlash. Opposition leader Yair Lapid called his remarks against Albanese “a gift for Australia” and described Netanyahu as “the most politically toxic leader in the Western world.”
Australian Jewish leaders also voiced concern. Alex Ryvchin, co-chief executive of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, described the fallout as “unseemly.” He warned of “real-life consequences” if the two governments fail to repair ties.
The diplomatic clash comes as Israel’s war in Gaza enters its 11th month. More than 62,000 Palestinians have reportedly been killed. The scale of the conflict has strained Israel’s relations even with long-standing allies like Australia.
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