Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has launched an extraordinary personal attack\u00a0on Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, claiming he has “betrayed” Israel.<\/p>\n
The post on social media is the latest escalation in tensions between Israel and Australia, and between the two leaders personally.<\/p>\n
“History will remember Albanese for what he is: a weak politician who betrayed Israel and abandoned Australia’s Jews,” Mr Netanyahu said in a post on the social media platform X.<\/p>\n
Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid took a swipe at Mr Netanyahu for the personal attack.<\/p>\n
“The thing that strengthens a leader in the democratic world today most is a confrontation with Netanyahu, the most politically toxic leader in the Western world,” he posted on X.<\/p>\n
“It is unclear why Bibi is in such a hurry to give the Australian Prime Minister this gift.”<\/p>\n
The comments come after Israel’s foreign minister revoked visas for Australia’s representatives to the Palestinian Authority, in what was seen as a retaliatory move for Australia’s decision to recognise a Palestinian State.<\/p>\n
Gideon Sa’ar also cited the Australian government’s decision to cancel visas for Israeli figures wanting to travel to Australia, including far-right politician Simcha Rothman, as being “shameful” and fuelling antisemitism.<\/p>\n
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong had called Israel’s decision to cancel the visas of its representatives to the Palestinian Authority an “unjustified reaction”, and the Netanyahu government was “isolating” Israel.<\/p>\n
The Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ), which describes itself as the peak body for the Australian-Jewish community has called for “calm heads”.<\/p>\n
“Allies with extensive economic, scientific and cultural ties should not be engaging in a diplomatic tit-for-tat that erodes the goodwill and cooperation built up over decades,” ECAJ co-chief executive Alex Ryvchin said.<\/p>\n
“Calm heads need to take control of the situation otherwise there will be a risk to some $2 billion in bilateral trade, extensive investment in Australian start-ups, vital security cooperation and the Israeli-made medicine and medical technology that we all rely on.<\/p>\n
“There are real-life consequences here and we want to see the countries work through any issues before things get out of hand.”<\/p>\n
The ABC has contacted Mr Albanese’s office for comment.<\/p>\n
Mr Albanese and Mr Netanyahu spoke almost a fortnight ago, ahead of the Australian government’s announcement it would recognise a Palestinian state at the United Nations General Assembly in September.<\/p>\n
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