Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ramped up his criticism of Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, characterizing him as a “weak politician” who has “betrayed Israel and abandoned Australia’s Jews.” Netanyahu personally condemned Australia, expressing his outrage over Canberra’s recent decision to recognize a Palestinian state. He compared this action to other acts of aggression in history, even going so far as to compare it to Adolf Hitler’s invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1938.
Netanyahu’s remarks aimed to underscore what he perceives as the dangers of Australia’s diplomatic shift. He decried official recognition of Palestine as “appeasement” to Hamas, a group he has called a terrorist organization.
In a succession of statements, Netanyahu escalated his rebuke of Albanese. He said the prime minister has “permanently defamed” his reputation. His comments reflect the growing gulf between the two leaders just over a week into the war in Ukraine. These tensions have now burst forth into an unprecedented diplomatic slapdown.
The Israeli leader’s comments have sparked conflicting responses. The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned Netanyahu’s statements in the strongest possible terms. They described his comments as “violent and anti-peace,” stating that tying Palestine’s recognition to antisemitism is opposed to the international community’s support of a two-state solution.
“The ministry affirms that conflating recognition of the state of Palestine with antisemitism and interfering in the internal affairs of France and Australia is unjustifiable, hostile to peace, and contrary to the international consensus on the principle of the two-state solution.” – The Palestinian ministry of foreign affairs
Aside from sparring with Albanese, Netanyahu has disparaged France, alleging a spike in antisemitism there. French President Emmanuel Macron was quick to shoot back, denouncing Netanyahu’s claims as “erroneous” and “abject.” Macron promised that such accusations “will not go unpunished.”
Meanwhile, Australia’s Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong condemned Netanyahu’s comments as “unjustified.” Wong stressed the importance of diplomacy and dialogue to shape public opinion on the complicated issues at play in the Israel-Palestine conflict.
In response to Australia’s recognition of a Palestinian state, Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar announced the revocation of visas for three Australian diplomats working in Ramallah. This move followed Australia’s cancellation of a visa for far-right Israeli politician Simcha Rothman. Consequently, geopolitical tensions have only sharpened.
Netanyahu’s rhetoric is indicative of a larger fear in Israel of growing international condemnation and action on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In fact, he recently argued that giving Hamas statehood would demonstrate weakness, not strength. In his view, Hamas uses its power over Gaza to incite violence.
“It is wrong because to offer [Hamas] a state, when they had a state, a de facto state in Gaza, and they used it for murder, pillage and monstrous crimes is to reward terrorism, and I think that’s a sign of weakness, that, as I said, will tarnish the prime minister’s record.” – Benjamin Netanyahu
The Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ) denounced Netanyahu’s statement as “inflammatory and provocative.” They cautioned that such inflammatory remarks risk escalating divides within Australia’s Jewish community.
Netanyahu isn’t swayed, refusing to budge, claiming that any movement towards recognizing Palestinian statehood threatens Israel’s security. He contends that such decisions jeopardize Israel’s security. Or, they might cede land to people who seek to do away with it.
“They want to put Israel at tremendous risk by giving this strategic piece of land right next to Jerusalem and Tel Aviv to these Palestinians who want to destroy Israel; they don’t even hide it … we’re not going to repeat the mistakes that were made prior to World War Two.” – Benjamin Netanyahu
On an opposite track, Prime Minister Albanese seems to have a Teflon quality when it comes to some of these personal attacks. He commented on Netanyahu’s remarks by stating that he does not take such criticisms personally and believes in engaging with leaders diplomatically.
“I don’t take these things personally. I engage with people diplomatically; he [Netanyahu] has had similar things to say about other leaders.” – Anthony Albanese
Both leaders are doing their best to steer through a dangerous diplomatic precipice. As the conflict continues, it will be telling to see how this further deterioration of Australia-Israel relations affects future bilateral ties.