Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu lashed out at Australian PM Anthony Albanese over his government’s pro-Palestinian stance, cancellation of MK Simcha Rothman’s visa, and rising antisemitism across Australia.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a blistering statement Tuesday, condemning his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese for what he described as a betrayal of Israel and Australia’s Jewish community.
“History will remember Albanese for what he is: A weak politician who betrayed Israel and abandoned Australia’s Jews,” Netanyahu declared.
Visa Cancellation Sparks Diplomatic Clash
Netanyahu’s remarks followed the controversial move by Australian Interior Minister Tony Burke, who revoked the visa of MK Simcha Rothman hours before he was scheduled to address Australia’s Jewish community. Rothman’s entry ban will remain in place for three years.
Burke justified the decision by citing Rothman’s past statements, which included calls to “destroy Hamas,” opposition to a Palestinian state, and support for Israeli sovereignty in Judea and Samaria. Rothman’s visa had been approved two weeks earlier, only to be suddenly canceled.
Australia’s Recognition of a Palestinian State
The visa row comes amid a broader policy shift. Last week, Albanese announced that Australia will recognize a Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly in September, insisting the move was based on assurances from the Palestinian Authority and clarifying that Hamas would not play a role.
Albanese accused Israel of defying international law and described Gaza’s humanitarian crisis as “beyond the world’s worst dreams.”
Mass Protests and Rising Antisemitism
The announcement followed one of the largest anti-Israel demonstrations in Australian history, as up to 90,000 people—organizers claimed as many as 300,000—marched across Sydney’s Harbor Bridge in the so-called “March for Humanity.” Protesters waved Palestinian flags, banged pots and pans to symbolize alleged hunger in Gaza, and even displayed a massive image of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
At the same time, Australia is experiencing record levels of antisemitism. According to a Combat Antisemitism Movement (CAM) survey conducted in late June:
- Only 24% of Australians view attitudes toward Jews as positive.
- 28% described them as negative.
- Nearly one in four young people in New South Wales said they had witnessed or heard about antisemitic incidents.
The disturbing trend has been reflected in violent episodes:
- An arson attempt on a Melbourne synagogue while 20 worshippers were inside.
- Rioters smashing windows and throwing chairs outside Israeli chef Eyal Shani’s restaurant, chanting “Death to the IDF!”
A Widening Rift
Netanyahu’s fiery rebuke underscores growing friction between Jerusalem and Canberra—once close allies under the Abraham Accords era. Now, with Australia moving to recognize Palestinian statehood and antisemitism surging at home, Israel’s leadership sees Albanese as not only abandoning Israel diplomatically but also failing to safeguard Jewish communities within his own borders.
