Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has launched a personal attack on Anthony Albanese, labelling the Australian leader a 'weak politician who betrayed Israel' in a social media post on Tuesday evening Australian time. The outburst came as a diplomatic row over visa cancellations intensified.
The dispute began after Australia cancelled the visa of far-right Israeli politician Simcha Rothman, citing 'an unacceptable risk to order' and concern he would make inflammatory statements. Israel's foreign minister, Gideon Sa'ar, responded by revoking visas of Australian representatives to the Palestinian Authority, accusing Canberra of 'choosing to fuel' antisemitism.
Australia's peak Jewish group, the Executive Council of Australia Jewry, urged composure. Co-chief executive Alex Ryvchin said: 'There are real-life consequences here and we want to see the countries work through any issues before things get out of hand.' He warned that the tit-for-tat risks $2bn in bilateral trade and vital security cooperation.
Opposition leader Sussan Ley criticised Albanese's 'failures of leadership', saying it was up to him to repair a relationship now 'in tatters'. The Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council described the visa cancellation as a 'disturbing precedent', while the progressive Jewish Council of Australia supported the ban and questioned why Rothman was granted a visa initially.
