Netanyahu accuses Australian PM of 'betraying' Israel

[ad_1] Israel's prime minister accused his Australian counterpart of getting "betrayed Israel" and "deserted" Australia's Jewish group, after days of more and more strained relations between the 2 international locations.

Benjamin Netanyahu mentioned on Tuesday that historical past would bear in mind Anthony Albanese "for what he's: a weak politician".

It got here after Australia barred a far-right member of Netanyahu's ruling coalition from coming into the nation on Monday, along with his visa cancelled forward of a deliberate go to.

Israel in flip revoked the visas of Australian representatives to the Palestinian Authority, additionally blaming Canberra's announcement final week that it will recognise a Palestinian state in September.

There was no instant response from Prime Minister Albanese.

Israel's opposition chief criticised Netanyahu's remarks, branding them a "reward" to the Australian chief.

Yair Lapid wrote on X: "The factor that almost all strengthens a frontrunner within the democratic world at this time is a confrontation with Netanyahu, probably the most politically poisonous chief within the Western world.

"It's unclear why Bibi is speeding to offer the Prime Minister of Australia this reward."

Diplomatic tensions flared on Monday after far-right Israeli politician Simcha Rothman's Australian visa was cancelled forward of a go to to the nation, the place he had been resulting from communicate at occasions organised by the Australian Jewish Affiliation.

Australia's residence affairs minister informed Sky Information on the time the federal government took "a tough line on individuals who search to return to our nation and unfold division".

Tony Burke added: "In case you are coming to Australia to unfold a message of hate and division, we do not need you right here."

A number of hours later, Israel's Minister of International Affairs Gideon Sa'ar mentioned he had "instructed the Israeli Embassy in Canberra to fastidiously study any official Australian visa utility for entry to Israel".

He added in a publish on X: "Whereas antisemitism is raging in Australia, together with manifestations of violence towards Jews and Jewish establishments, the Australian authorities is selecting to gasoline it".

There have been a string of antisemitic assaults in Australia in latest months, amid tensions over the Israel-Hamas battle.

Australia introduced in early August that it will recognise a Palestinian state, with Prime Minister Albanese saying on the time that Netanyahu was "in denial" in regards to the penalties of the battle on harmless individuals.

"The stopping of assist that we have seen after which the lack of life that we're seeing round these assist distribution factors, the place individuals queuing for meals and water are shedding their lives, is simply fully unacceptable," he mentioned.

The announcement adopted related strikes by the UK, France and Canada.

In response, Netanyahu launched a scathing assault on the leaders of the three international locations, accusing Sir Keir Starmer, Emmanuel Macron and Mark Carney of siding with "mass murderers, rapists, child killers and kidnappers".