Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has intensified his diplomatic attack on Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, claiming his record is “forever tarnished by weakness” in the face of Hamas. In an interview with Sky News, Netanyahu criticised Albanese’s decision to recognise a Palestinian state, describing it as “appeasement” to Hamas.
The row began after Australia cancelled a visa for far-right Israeli politician Simcha Rothman. Netanyahu accused Albanese of showing weakness, stating: “I think his record is forever tarnished by the weakness that he showed in the face of these Hamas terrorist monsters.” He compared the recognition of a Palestinian state to the appeasement of Nazi Germany before World War II.
Australian Health Minister Mark Butler dismissed Netanyahu’s comments as “frankly ridiculous”, while the Executive Council of Australian Jewry labelled the Israeli leader’s attack “inflammatory and provocative”. Albanese initially played down the criticism, saying he does not take such remarks personally.
The diplomatic dispute has escalated further, with Israel revoking visas of three Australian diplomats to the Palestinian Authority. Netanyahu also denied reports of Israel deliberately starving Gaza, calling them “lies”, despite UN warnings of a man-made famine caused by Israel’s blockade.
