Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke lashes Netanyahu over ‘weak’ leader outburst
Sydney, Australia
20 August 2025 – 11:28 AM (UTC + 10)
In the space of nine days since that decision, relations between Australia and Israel have plummeted.
Australia on Monday cancelled the visa of far-right Israeli politician Simcha Rothman — a member of Netanyahu’s governing coalition — saying his planned speaking tour would “spread division”.
The tit-for-tat continued on Tuesday, when Israel retaliated by revoking visas held by Canberra’s diplomatic representatives to the Palestinian Authority.
Then came Netanyahu’s social media outburst. “History will remember Albanese for what he is: A weak politician who betrayed Israel and abandoned Australia’s Jews,” he said on X.
Israel finds itself increasingly isolated as it continues to wage war in Gaza, a conflict triggered by the October 2023 attack by Palestinian militant group Hamas.
UN-backed experts have warned of widespread famine unfolding in the territory, where Israel has severely restricted the entry of humanitarian aid.
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said last week that Netanyahu had “lost the plot”.
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© Agence France-Presse
