‘War of words': Australia-Israel relationship takes a ‘terrible turn' after Netanyahu's letter
'It's an extraordinary turn,' Ms McKenzie told Sky News host Chris Kenny.
'This war of words that are particularly harsh and pointed … are a terrible turn in terms of a longstanding relationship between Australia and Israel.
'I feel for the Jewish people in Australia.'

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

Sydney Morning Herald
19 minutes ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
‘Forever tarnished': Netanyahu defies Jewish groups' calls for moderation to attack Albanese
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has defied Australian Jewish groups call for moderation and escalated his conflict with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese by branding him 'forever tarnished' because of his foreign policy decisions. The Executive Council of Australian Jewry wrote to Netanyahu on Wednesday to decry his 'clumsy' and 'inflammatory' intervention into Australian politics in recent days that has included a personal attack on Albanese, accusing the Israeli prime minister of playing into the hands of antisemites. Albanese declined to escalate conflict with Netanyahu further on Wednesday, saying he treated other leaders with respect, while his home affairs minister, Tony Burke, hit back at the Israeli prime minister to Jewish groups' dismay. But Netanyahu, who has previously criticised Australia for moving to recognise a Palestinian state at the United Nations next month, has refused to be deterred from further rhetorical escalation. Loading 'You know, when the worst terrorist organisation on Earth… when these people congratulate the prime minister of Australia, you know something is wrong,' Netanyahu said in an interview with Sky News to be broadcast in full tonight. 'I'm sure he has a reputable record as a public servant, but I think his record is forever tarnished by the weakness that he showed in the face of these Hamas terrorist monsters.' Zionist Federation of Australia president Jeremy Leibler described Netanyahu's comments as 'entirely unhelpful and unproductive' on Wednesday. 'I don't think the use of personal or inflammatory language is appropriate or helpful,' Leibler told this masthead.

The Age
19 minutes ago
- The Age
‘Forever tarnished': Netanyahu defies Jewish groups' calls for moderation to attack Albanese
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has defied Australian Jewish groups call for moderation and escalated his conflict with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese by branding him 'forever tarnished' because of his foreign policy decisions. The Executive Council of Australian Jewry wrote to Netanyahu on Wednesday to decry his 'clumsy' and 'inflammatory' intervention into Australian politics in recent days that has included a personal attack on Albanese, accusing the Israeli prime minister of playing into the hands of antisemites. Albanese declined to escalate conflict with Netanyahu further on Wednesday, saying he treated other leaders with respect, while his home affairs minister, Tony Burke, hit back at the Israeli prime minister to Jewish groups' dismay. But Netanyahu, who has previously criticised Australia for moving to recognise a Palestinian state at the United Nations next month, has refused to be deterred from further rhetorical escalation. Loading 'You know, when the worst terrorist organisation on Earth… when these people congratulate the prime minister of Australia, you know something is wrong,' Netanyahu said in an interview with Sky News to be broadcast in full tonight. 'I'm sure he has a reputable record as a public servant, but I think his record is forever tarnished by the weakness that he showed in the face of these Hamas terrorist monsters.' Zionist Federation of Australia president Jeremy Leibler described Netanyahu's comments as 'entirely unhelpful and unproductive' on Wednesday. 'I don't think the use of personal or inflammatory language is appropriate or helpful,' Leibler told this masthead.

Sky News AU
19 minutes ago
- Sky News AU
Benjamin Netanyahu doubles down on Albanese criticism in exclusive Sky News interview
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has doubled down on his criticism of Anthony Albanese in an exclusive interview with Sky News Australia. Speaking to Sky News host Sharri Markson, Israel's leader says Australia's Prime Minister would be forever tarnished by his weakness in the face of terrorism. 'I think his record is forever tarnished by the weakness that he showed in the face of this Hamas terrorist monsters,' Mr Netanyahu said. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's full exclusive interview with Sky News host Sharri Markson will premiere on Sky News Australia on Thursday at 8pm AEST.