Israel–Australia Tensions: Netanyahu Slams Australian PM

On 19 August 2025, relations between Israel and Australia reached a new point of tension after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu launched a fierce attack on Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

In a strongly worded statement on social media, Netanyahu declared:

“History will remember Anthony Albanese as a weak leader who betrayed Israel and abandoned Australia’s Jewish community.”

The remarks came after two major moves by the Australian government. First, Canberra announced it would formally recognize a Palestinian state at the upcoming United Nations General Assembly session. Second, Australia revoked the visa of Simcha Rothman, a right-wing Israeli politician who had been invited to meet Jewish community leaders in Sydney and Melbourne.

Israel responded swiftly. The Israeli Foreign Ministry canceled visas for several Australian diplomats working with the Palestinian Authority, and issued new instructions that all future visa requests from Canberra officials would be subject to strict review.

Meanwhile, Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong criticized Israel’s actions as “unjust and counterproductive,” arguing that such measures would further isolate Israel internationally and undermine hopes for a two-state solution.

The issue also sparked domestic political debate in Australia. Opposition leaders urged Prime Minister Albanese to respond firmly but diplomatically, while Jewish community representatives warned that escalating tensions could damage a trade relationship worth over $2 billion annually, along with cooperation in health, technology, and security sectors.

This diplomatic clash arrives at a sensitive time. With the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, rising tensions in the Middle East, and increasing international pressure on Israel, Australia’s recognition of Palestine marks a turning point in its foreign policy. Israel’s sharp reaction, however, risks driving a deeper wedge into what has historically been a cooperative partnership between the two nations.

The question now is whether diplomacy can ease the strain, or whether both sides will remain entrenched, putting long-standing strategic and economic ties at serious risk.