Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took to social media on Tuesday to publicly denounce his Australian counterpart as a “weak politician” who has abandoned the Jews of the Oceanian country.
The unprecedented personal attack on X comes after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s government barred an Israeli lawmaker from visiting the country. Israel responded by revoking the diplomatic visas held by Australia’s representatives to the Palestinian Authority.
“History will remember Albanese for what he is: A weak politician who betrayed Israel and abandoned Australia’s Jews,” Mr. Netanyahu said on X.
Israel and Australia have been at loggerheads since Canberra announced that in September it would formally vote to recognize a Palestinian state at the United Nations.
This week, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar said Australia’s decision to bar the entry of Simcha Rothman, leader of the conservative National Religious Party-Religious Zionism coalition, was unjustified.
“At a time when antisemitism in Australia is rampant and includes acts of violence against Jews and Jewish institutions, the Australian government chooses to fuel it,” Mr. Sa’ar said on X. “This is done through false accusations that visits by Israeli figures would disrupt public order and harm Australia’s Muslim population.”
Mr. Sa’ar also instructed the Israeli Embassy in Australia to “thoroughly review” every official Australian visa request for entry into the Jewish state.
Reaction came from Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong.
“At a time when dialogue and diplomacy are needed more than ever, the Netanyahu government is isolating Israel and undermining international efforts towards peace and a two-state solution,” she said in a statement.
Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid said a public row with Mr. Netanyahu, whom he called “the most politically toxic leader in the Western world,” only serves to politically strengthen democratic leaders.
“It is unclear why Bibi is rushing to give the Prime Minister of Australia this gift,” Mr. Lapid said on X.
