Netanyahu taunts Albanese as Israel, Australia exchange barbs amid visa row over Palestine stance

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu launched a scathing attack on Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Tuesday, calling him a “weak politician” amid escalating tensions between the two countries.

Netanyahu’s comment followed Canberra’s decision to bar Simcha Rothman, a far-right member of Israel’s Religious Zionism party, from entering Australia. In response, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar announced that Israel would revoke the residency visas of Australian representatives to the Palestinian Authority.

“History will remember Albanese for what he is: A weak politician who betrayed Israel and abandoned Australia’s Jews,” read a post on the official X account of Netanyahu’s office.

Rothman had been scheduled to meet with members of Australia’s Jewish community, which has reported a significant spike in antisemitic incidents since the outbreak of Israel’s war with Hamas in Gaza nearly two years ago.

In response to the visa cancellation of Australian diplomats, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong condemned the move as an “unjustified reaction,” accusing Prime Minister Netanyahu’s government of isolating Israel on the world stage.

“This only serves to increase Israel’s diplomatic isolation,” Reuters quoted Wong as saying on Monday.

Israel is under growing international scrutiny over the humanitarian impact of its military operations in Gaza, where thousands of civilians have been killed or displaced amid widespread destruction.

On August 12, Australian Prime Minister criticised Netanyahu, saying the Israeli leader was “in denial” about the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza.

Albanese’s remarks came just a day after he signalled that Australia may join countries like France, the United Kingdom, and Canada in recognising a Palestinian state at the upcoming United Nations General Assembly in September.

Netanyahu has sharply opposed such recognition, arguing it would effectively reward Hamas for its October 7, 2023 attack on Israel — the event that sparked the current war in Gaza.

Meanwhile, Israeli Opposition Leader Yair Lapid said that world leaders are strengthened by public rows with “politically toxic” Netanyahu, and that the premier had given Albanese a “gift” with his attack.

“The thing that most strengthens a leader in today’s democratic world is a confrontation with Netanyahu, the most politically toxic leader in the Western world,” Lapid wrote on X. “It’s unclear why Bibi is rushing to give the Australian prime minister this gift.”

With inputs from agencies