Australia’s Albanese downplays Netanyahu’s criticism as ties sour

SYDNEY - Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Aug 20 that he treats leaders of other countries with respect, after his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu attacked him over his decision to recognise a Palestinian state.

“I don’t take these things personally, I engage with people diplomatically. He has had similar things to say about other leaders,” Mr Albanese said during a media briefing.

Mr Netanyahu’s personal attack on the Australian Prime Minister has further strained relations between the two countries.

Ties soured after Australia decided on Aug 11 to conditionally recognise a Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly in September.

“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 social media platform X on Aug 19.

Mr Albanese told reporters that he had informed Mr Netanyahu about Australia’s decision to support a Palestinian state before his centre-left government formally announced the plan.

“At that time, I gave Prime Minister Netanyahu a clear indication of my view and Australia’s view going forward, but also a clear indication of the direction in which we were headed,” Albanese said.

“I gave him the opportunity to outline what political solution there was.”

Israel on Aug 18 revoked the visas of Australian diplomats to the Palestinian Authority after Mr Albanese’s Labour government cancelled the visa of an Israeli lawmaker over remarks the Australian government considered controversial and inflammatory.

Israel has been facing increasing international pressure over its military offensive in the Gaza Strip that has killed thousands of civilians and plunged Gaza into a humanitarian crisis, displacing most of its population.

The offensive began nearly two years ago after Hamas-led militants stormed southern Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking 251 more hostage. REUTERS