An extraordinary diplomatic confrontation has erupted between Israel and Australia as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu authored a devastating critique of Anthony Albanese's Palestinian statehood policies, alleging they systematically amplify antisemitic violence targeting Australian Jewish communities, Sky News Australia disclosed through its reporter Sharri Markson.
Breaking Exclusive by @SharriMarkson🔥🔥🔥
Watch the video and read the letter sent by Netanyahu below.
A diplomatic row has erupted between Israel and Australia, and PM Netanyahu has sent a stinging letter to PM Albanese. In the letter he writes:
"I am concerned by the… pic.twitter.com/O6GIQL6khs
— Cheryl E 🇮🇱🎗️ (@CherylWroteIt) August 19, 2025
The Israeli leader's correspondence, leaked to Sky News Australia Australia and dated August 17, 2025, explicitly charges Albanese with "pouring fuel on this antisemitic fire" via Palestinian state recognition advocacy. Netanyahu contends such diplomatic positioning "rewards Hamas terror, hardens Hamas's refusal to free the hostages" while actively "emboldens those who menace Australian Jews and encourages the Jew-hatred now stalking your streets." Netanyahu made similar comments publicly on Tuesday, calling Albanese a "weak politician."
Sky News Australia revealed Netanyahu categorically denounces the Australian approach as representing "appeasement" rather than authentic diplomatic engagement, establishing an unprecedented critique from Jerusalem toward a traditionally supportive democratic partner.
The correspondence establishes September 23, 2025 – coinciding with the Jewish new year of Rosh Hashanah – as Netanyahu's deadline for transformative Australian action against antisemitic escalation, Sky News Australia confirmed. The Israeli premier demands Albanese "replace weakness with action" and "appeasement with resolve" through concrete policy initiatives addressing the crisis.
Escalating violence against Australian Jewish institutions provides the foundation for Netanyahu's intervention, with synagogue fire-bombings, preschool attacks, and residential vandalism creating what the Israeli leader characterizes as an antisemitic "epidemic," according to Sky News Australia.
"Following Hamas' savage attack on the people of Israel on October 7, 2023, pro-Hamas extremists and left-wing radicals began a campaign of intimidation, vandalism and violence against Jews across the free world," Netanyahu communicated to Albanese, Sky News Australia reported. "In Australia, that campaign has intensified under your watch."
Sky News Australia documented Netanyahu's citation of specific antisemitic incidents across Australia, including June vandalism targeting a historic Melbourne synagogue with graffiti celebrating Iran while demanding "Free Palestine." July witnessed arsonists attacking the East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation during Shabbat observances, compelling twenty worshippers to evacuate for their safety.
Concurrent masked assaults targeted an Israeli-owned Melbourne restaurant, featuring property destruction, furniture hurling, and attackers chanting "Death to the IDF," according to Netanyahu's account obtained by Sky News Australia. The Israeli leader emphasizes these represent systematic rather than isolated phenomena, declaring "This is an epidemic."
Netanyahu positions President Donald Trump as the optimal model for confronting antisemitic challenges, commending American strategies encompassing Jewish civil rights protection, legal enforcement, and prosecutorial action against antisemitic crimes, Sky News Australia revealed. "The President is protecting the civil rights of American Jews, enforcing the law, protecting public order and prosecuting antisemitic crimes," Netanyahu emphasizes, noting Trump "has also deported Hamas sympathizers and revoked the visas of foreign students who incite violence against Jews."
The diplomatic missive concludes with Netanyahu's personally-affixed declaration that "History will not forgive hesitation. It will honour action," Sky News Australia confirmed.
These revelations coincide with mounting diplomatic friction as Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke terminated an Israeli politician's visa authorization Monday, prompting Israeli retaliation through Australian diplomat visa revocation. Albanese has declined implementing recommendations from February's Sky News Australia Antisemitism Summit or proposals from Antisemitism Envoy Jillian Segal's comprehensive assessment.
