‘Shameful': Benjamin Netanyahu explodes at Australia over Palestinian state
In a wide-ranging press conference in Jerusalem 'to puncture the lies and tell the truth' about Israeli military and its delivery of humanitarian aid in the besieged territory, Mr Netanyahu described foreign leaders' intention to recognise Palestine as 'absurdity'.
'It defies imagination or understanding how intelligent people around the world, including seasoned diplomats, government leaders, and respected journalists, fall for this absurdity,' the Prime Minister said, insisting such a move 'won't bring peace, it will bring war'.
'To have European countries and Australia to march into that rabbit hole … and buy this canard, it is disappointing. And I think it's actually shameful.'
On Saturday, Foreign Minister Penny Wong joined her counterparts in Germany, Italy, New Zealand and the UK to condemn the Israeli Security Cabinet's announcement of its intent to expand its offensive and capture Gaza City.
'The plans that the government of Israel has announced risk violating international humanitarian law,' the foreign ministers said in a joint statement.
'Any attempts at annexation or of settlement extension violate international law.
'It will aggravate the catastrophic humanitarian situation, endanger the lives of the hostages, and further risk the mass displacement of civilians.'
But Mr Netanyahu was defiant at his press conference, accusing 'those who say that Israel has a right to defend itself (of) also saying, 'But don't exercise that right'.'
'I think we're actually applying force judiciously, and they know it,' he said.
'They know what they would do if right next to Melbourne, or right next to Sydney, you had this horrific attack. I think you would do at least what we're doing …(although) maybe not as efficiently and as precisely as we're doing it.'
The Prime Minister insisted 'this is the best way to end the war, and the best way to end it speedily'. The new operation's aim, Mr Netanyahu added, was 'to dismantle the two remaining Hamas strongholds in Gaza City and the central camps', while establishing secure corridors and safe zones to allow civilians to leave the area.
'Israel has no choice but to finish the job and complete the defeat of Hamas,' he said.
'Now we've done a great deal. We have about 70 to 75 per cent of Gaza under Israeli control, military control. But we have two remaining strongholds, OK? These are Gaza City and the central camps in Al Mawasi.'
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