In a rare personal attack on a foreign leader, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has lashed out at Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, calling him a “weak” politician who “betrayed Israel” and “abandoned” Australia’s Jewish community. In an English-language statement posted Tuesday on his official X account, Netanyahu said, “history will remember Albanese for what he is: A weak politician who betrayed Israel and abandoned Australia’s Jews.” The remarks mark a sharp escalation in tensions between Israel and Australia, which have been increasingly at odds since Canberra announc

In a rare personal attack on a foreign leader, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has lashed out at Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, calling him a “weak” politician who “betrayed Israel” and “abandoned” Australia’s Jewish community. In an English-language statement posted Tuesday on his official X account, Netanyahu said, “history will remember Albanese for what he is: A weak politician who betrayed Israel and abandoned Australia’s Jews.” The remarks mark a sharp escalation in tensions between Israel and Australia, which have been increasingly at odds since Canberra announced it would recognise a Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly in September. According to

Times of Israel

, Opposition Leader Yair Lapid condemned Netanyahu’s comments, arguing that they inadvertently strengthened Albanese’s standing. “The thing that most strengthens a leader in today’s democratic world is a confrontation with Netanyahu, the most politically toxic leader in the Western world. It’s unclear why Bibi is rushing to give the Australian prime minister this gift.” Lapid wrote on X in a post quoted by

Times of Isreal

. The diplomatic rift widened after Canberra on Monday cancelled the visa of far-right Religious Zionism lawmaker Simcha Rothman, a member of Netanyahu’s governing coalition, hours before he was due to fly to Australia. Rothman, who was set to speak at events organised by the Australian Jewish Association, is a vocal opponent of a two-state solution. In response, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar announced the revocation of the residency visas of Australia’s representatives to the Palestinian Authority and instructed the Israeli embassy in Canberra to “carefully examine” all future Australian visa applications to Israel. After the revocation announcement, Sa’ar said, “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.” Also, speaking to pro-Israel Australian journalist Erin Molan, he called Australia’s actions “shameful” and “unacceptable.”

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Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong pushed back, describing Israel’s revocation of visas as “an unjustified reaction.” “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. Israel’s ambassador to Australia, Amir Maimon, also criticised Canberra, telling Israel’s Kan public broadcaster that Australia revoked Rothman’s visa after it had already been granted, a move also protested by the Australian opposition. “The Jewish community is worried,” Maimon said, pointing to growing unease over bilateral relations. “My predecessors told me that the relations were based on friendly foundations, but since Labour won [the last election], there’s been an erosion, and since October 7, there’s been a dramatic rise in antisemitism.”

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