Netanyahu Accuses Australian Prime Minister of ‘Betraying Israel’ and ‘Abandoning’ Country’s Jews

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has accused his Australian counterpart, Anthony Albanese, of “betraying Israel” and “abandoning” the country’s Jews. “History will remember Albanese for what he is: a weak politician who betrayed Israel and abandoned Australia’s Jews,” Mr. Netanyahu said. Mr. Netanyahu’s comment came after Australia’s foreign minister said the Israeli government is “isolating” Israel at a time when “dialogue and diplomacy” are needed. “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,” the foreign minister, Penny Wong, said in a statement on Tuesday.Mrs. Wong reacted to Israel revoking the visas of Australian representatives to the Palestinian Authority, which came in response to Canberra banning an Israeli lawmaker, Simcha Rothman, from entering the country as well as recognizing Palestine as a state. “This is an unjustified reaction, following Australia’s decision to recognize Palestine,” Mrs. Wong said, adding that she will continue to with with partners around the world for a “two-state solution, a cease-fire in Gaza, and release of the hostages.”The diplomatic crisis between Australia and Israel escalated on Monday when the home affairs minister, Tony Burke, announced a travel ban for Mr. Rothman, a lawmaker from the Religious Zionism party. “If you are coming to Australia to spread a message of hate and division, we don’t want you here. Australia will be a country where everyone can be safe, and feel safe,” Mr. Burke said. Israel’s foreign minister, Gideon Sa’ar, reacted to the move, saying that he revoked the visas of Australian representatives to the Palestinian Authority. Mr. Sa’ar also instructed the Israeli Embassy at Canberra to “carefully examine any official Australian visa application for entry to Israel.”“This follows Australia’s decisions to recognize a ‘Palestinian state’ and against the backdrop of Australia’s unjustified refusal to grant visas to a number of Israeli figures, including former Minister Ayelet Shaked and the Chairman of the Knesset’s Constitution, Law and Justice Committee, MK Simcha Rotman,” Mr. Sa’ar added. “While antisemitism is raging in Australia, including manifestations of violence against Jews and Jewish institutions, the Australian government is choosing to fuel it by false accusations, as if the visit of Israeli figures will disrupt public order and harm Australia’s Muslim population. It is shameful and unacceptable!” Mr. Sa’ar concluded. Mrs. Wong fired back at Mr. Sa’ar on Tuesday, saying: “The Australian government will always take decisive action against antisemitism.”Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Norway, and the United Kingdom have also imposed sanctions on Israel’s national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, and finance minister, Bezalel Smotrich, for “inciting violence against Palestinians in the West Bank.”Both Mr. Ben-Gvir and Mr. Smotrich publicly backed Mr. Rothman following Australia’s decision to cancel his visa.“In the face of all the antisemites in the world, the people of Israel stand behind you and support you. Continue to proudly voice Israel’s stance. We won’t stop until complete victory!,” Mr. Smotrich said. Mr. Ben-Gvir said that the “active support of the Australian government for Hamas and terrorists, and the entry ban against MK Simcha Rothman, are a historical stain and a shame for the Australian government.”

Netanyahu Accuses Australian Prime Minister of ‘Betraying Israel’ and ‘Abandoning’ Country’s Jews

More from the New York Sun

Taliban Frees American Academic Held More Than Year

Belgium Deploys Troops To Protect Jewish Sites as Iran-Linked Group Claims Attacks Across Europe

California Governor Debate Abruptly Cancelled After Participation Rules Exclude All Non-White Candidates

More from the New York Sun

Taliban Frees American Academic Held More Than Year

Belgium Deploys Troops To Protect Jewish Sites as Iran-Linked Group Claims Attacks Across Europe

California Governor Debate Abruptly Cancelled After Participation Rules Exclude All Non-White Candidates

Vance Leads 2028 GOP Presidential Contenders in Polling, but Rubio’s Star Is Rising in First-in-the-Nation Primary State

Oil Market Trades Executed Minutes Before Trump Iran Announcement Net Mystery Buyers $580 Million in Profits

Delta Air Lines Suspends Special Services for Members of Congress Amid DHS Shutdown

A ‘Yentl’ Adaptation That Finally Captures the Spirit of Isaac Bashevis Singer

Epic Fury: What New Arms Are in Play