Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu fiercely criticized Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Tuesday in a post on X, following Australia's decision to cancel visas for Knesset member Simcha Rothman and former Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked. Netanyahu wrote on X, "History will remember Albanese for what he is: A weak politician who betrayed Israel and abandoned Australia's Jews."
The criticism came after Australia rejected Rothman's visa application, just one day before his scheduled trip to engage with the Jewish community in Australia. Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke stated, "If you come to us to spread hate and division – we don't want you." Rothman can reapply for a visa after three years.
Israel retaliated by revoking visas for Australian diplomats working with the Palestinian Authority. Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong called the move "an unjustified response," adding, "The Netanyahu government is isolating Israel and undermining international efforts for peace and a two-state solution."
Rothman responded to the visa denial, saying, "These are positions that almost the entire Israeli public holds. The Australian government has chosen to side with Hamas." He urged Australian Jews to immigrate to Israel, asserting they are "in trouble because of their Jewishness."
The diplomatic row escalated after Albanese announced Australia's plan to recognize a Palestinian state next month. Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar defended Israel's visa cancellations, saying, "Instead of addressing the antisemitism raging in Australia today, they are fueling antisemitism by falsely claiming that allowing Israelis entry would cause unrest among the Muslim population."
