Benjamin Netanyahu has launched a direct attack on Anthony Albanese, describing Australia’s prime minister as “weak” in a social media post, hours after Jewish groups in Australia called for restraint in relations between the two countries.
“History will remember Albanese for what he is: A weak politician who betrayed Israel and abandoned Australia’s Jews,” read the post on X from the Israeli prime minister’s account on Tuesday evening, Australian time.
Australia silents on Netanyahu statement
The Australian prime minister’s office declined to comment.
The remarks came shortly after the Executive Council of Australian Jewry urged both governments to de-escalate tensions, following warnings by Israel’s foreign minister, Gideon Sa’ar, of “additional measures” against Australia in response to a series of diplomatic disputes.
“There are real-life consequences here and we want to see the countries work through any issues before things get out of hand,” said Alex Ryvchin, co-chief executive of the council.
Sa’ar accused the Albanese government of fuelling antisemitism after Canberra cancelled the visa of far-right Israeli politician Simcha Rothman, who had been due to speak in Sydney and Melbourne this week. He announced that Israel would revoke visas for Australian representatives to the Palestinian Authority, a move labelled “unjustified” and damaging to “international efforts towards peace and a two-state solution” by Australia’s foreign minister, Penny Wong.
The row comes after Australia’s decision earlier this month to support recognition of a Palestinian state at the United Nations general assembly, following commitments by the Palestinian Authority.
Rothman’s visa was cancelled on Monday by Australia’s home affairs department, citing “an unacceptable risk” to public order and concern that the member of Netanyahu’s coalition would make “inflammatory statements to promote his controversial views and ideologies.”
