PM Netanyahu Hardik PM Australia: Weak Poljet That Ends Israel

JAKARTA - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday accused Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of leaving Australia's Jewish community and betrayed Israel.

This statement could further exacerbate diplomatic relations tested by the war in Gaza.

Netanyahu's statement follows the revocation of Australian diplomat visas for the Palestinian Authority by Israel on Monday, following Canberra's decision to recognize the Palestinian state and cancel the visa of an Israeli lawmaker.

"History will remember what Albanese is, a weak politician who betrayed Israel and abandoned Australian Jews," Netanyahu said on the prime minister's X account.

Israeli lawmakers whose visas were canceled are scheduled to meet with the Australian Jewish community that has faced a sharp increase in antisemite (judician) attacks since the start of Israel's war with the Palestinian militant group Hamas, in Gaza, nearly two years ago.

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong on Monday called the reply to the revocation of Israeli visas "unjustifiable reaction".

He said the Netanyahu government was further tightening Israel's diplomatic isolation.

Israel has faced growing international pressure over the impact of its military attacks on civilians in the destroyed Gaza Strip.

Albanese previously called Netanyahu "regarding" the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Albanese delivered a statement a day after announcing Australia may recognize the Palestinian state at the United Nations General Assembly (UN) in September, following France, Britain, and Canada.

Netanyahu said this would be a reward for Hamas' attack on October 7, 2023 against Israel, which sparked the Gaza war.