‘Since his university days': Anthony Albanese's decision to recognise Palestinian statehood scrutinised as Netanyahu brands PM as ‘weak politician'
Australia's relationship with Israel has taken an unprecedented nosedive after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu labelled Mr Albanese a 'weak politician who betrayed Israel" and "abandoned Australia's Jews' in a post to X on Tuesday.
Mr Netanyahu also penned a no-holds-barred letter, dated 17 August, admonishing the Prime Minister for failing to confront the 'epidemic' of antisemitism that has 'intensified' under his watch.
Mr Netanyahu accused Mr Albanese of pouring 'fuel on this antisemitic fire' by calling for recognition of a Palestinian state, saying it 'rewards Hamas terror, hardens Hamas's refusal to free the hostages', 'emboldens those who menace Australian Jews and encourages the Jew-hatred now stalking your streets.'
Israel also moved to revoke the visas of Australian diplomats in the Palestinian territories following Canberra's decision to recognise a Palestinian state and to ban a senior Israeli politician from visiting Australia for three years.
Nationals Senator Matt Canavan has blasted Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for jeopardising longstanding relations with security and intelligence partners. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage.
Nationals Senator for Queensland Matt Canavan implored the Prime Minister to explain why he had put Australia's decades long relationship with Israel at risk, and added the government's decision to recognise Palestine was a 'meaningless' move.
"The Prime Minister has got some explaining to do why he risked the friendly relationships we've had as a country and whether or not his premature recognition of a Palestinian state is in Australia's national interest,' he said.
'I don't think anybody believes that Australia recognising a Palestinian state is going to deliver peace in the Middle East but it may just destroy friendly relations between important partners of Australia.
Senator Canavan said that Israel had been a 'dear friend of Australia' for many decades and stated the two countries had coordinated and cooperated on intelligence and defence matters for a 'long period of time.'
Senator Canavan said Mr Albanese was prioritising peace in the Middle East over domestic issues. Picture: NewsWire/Philip Gostelow.
'Why would you put all of that at risk for a fairly meaningless recognition of a state that does not exist and has no prospect of delivering peace anytime soon,' Mr Canavan said.
Senator Canavan said Mr Albanese's decision to join France, Canada and the United Kingdom in recognising Palestine as a state also threatened Australia's alliance with the United States which defence experts say is in its worst state in decades.
'You've got on top of that the risk of this disagreement spilling over into our even more important relationship with the United States, the Prime Minister hasn't even bothered to consult with the US about his decision on Palestine,' he said.
'The decision to recognise or to do something significant like this in recognising a Palestinian state should only be taken if its in the clear interest of Australia, national interest of this country yet the PM seems to have rushed this decision.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a press conference at the Prime minister's office in Jerusalem, Sunday, Aug. 10, 2025. (Abir Sultan/Pool Photo via AP)
'He is either because worried about his own domestic situation, his own party or its just something he's always wanted to do since his university days, but he is the PM of the country – he now needs to explain why he's put at risk our nation's security.'
Despite French President Emmanuel Macron receiving a near identical letter from Mr Netanyahu Senator Canavan insisted that Australia's security was 'independent of what the Israeli Prime Minister says and does to other countries.'
'I worry now we have an Australian government with two main priorities, one delivering Middle East peace and the other changing the temperature of the globe, neither of those things can the Australian government do or have a real impact over' he said.
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