SYDNEY – Australia has sharply rebuked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after he publicly labeled Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese a “weak politician” who “betrayed Israel” and “abandoned Australia’s Jews.” The heated exchange follows Canberra’s decision to recognize Palestinian statehood, adding considerable strain to long-standing bilateral ties.
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke categorically dismissed Netanyahu’s remarks as the reaction of a frustrated leader. “Strength is not measured by how many people you can blow up, or how many children you can leave hungry,” he asserted. Burke emphasised that real leadership involves direct dialogue and restraint—qualities he attributes to Albanese’s measured approach.
Australia’s diplomatic response has been firm yet deliberate. Foreign Minister Penny Wong described Israel’s visa revocations targeting Australian envoys and its protest response as unnecessary and self-isolating. Australian officials reaffirmed their trajectory toward peace and two-state diplomacy, aligning their recognition decision with growing international consensus on a post-conflict solution.
The Executive Council of Australian Jewry has urged both leaders to de-escalate tensions. In letters to Netanyahu and Albanese, the council condemned inflammatory rhetoric from both parties, warning it risks burdening the Jewish community with avoidable fallout. “This is not the way,” said the council, calling for responsible diplomacy rather than public posturing.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Albanese has taken the high ground, refusing to be drawn into a tit-for-tat exchange. “I don’t take these comments personally,” he stated, invoking a broader sense of responsibility—to Australians and to regional stability. He reiterated that his government’s policies aim to protect national interests and contribute to a sustainable peace.
This story has been reported by PakTribune. All rights reserved.