‘Outrageous': Tony Burke throws shade at Benjamin Netanyahu
Ms Hume told Sky News Australia that Mr Burke is 'open-minded' about handing out visas to people with anti-Israel viewpoints, but blocked Israeli politicians from entering Australia.
'That inconsistency is just unthinkable, so you can understand why Benjamin Netanyahu is so frustrated with Anthony Albanese and his government,' she said.
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The Advertiser
28 minutes ago
- The Advertiser
Albanese shrugs off swipe from angry Israeli leader
Anthony Albanese has downplayed personal attacks from Benjamin Netanyahu, as a federal minister called out Israel's prime minister over "blowing up" Palestinians and starving children. Mr Netanyahu called his Australian counterpart a "weak politician" in a social media post, claiming he had abandoned Jewish Australians. The comments followed escalating diplomatic tensions after the federal government denied a visa to far-right Israeli politician Simcha Rothman, who was set to undertake a speaking tour of Australia at the invitation of a fringe Jewish group. The Israeli government retaliated by cancelling the visas of three Australian representatives to the Palestinian Authority and ordering embassy staff to apply extra scrutiny to Australian applications to enter Israel. Mr Albanese said he would continue to engage with Mr Netanyahu, brushing off the social media criticism from Israel's leader. "I don't take these things personally. I engage with people diplomatically. (Netanyahu) has had similar things to say about other leaders," he told reporters in Adelaide on Wednesday. "There is a global concern, because people want to see an end to the cycle of violence that we have seen for far too long. That is what Australians want to see as well." Mr Albanese said he would continue to press Australia's position on Palestine to Israel's leader. It comes as Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said the increasingly "isolated" Israeli prime minister was lashing out, as he had done to other Western leaders who vowed to recognise Palestinian statehood. "Strength is not measured by how many people you can blow up or how many children you can leave hungry. Strength is much better measured by exactly what Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has done," he told ABC Radio on Wednesday. "When there's a decision that we know Israel won't like, he goes straight to Benjamin Netanyahu, he has the conversation, he says exactly what we're intending to do, and has the chance for the objections to be made person-to-person." In revoking the visas of the Australian diplomats, Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar cited Australia's decision to recognise Palestine, as well as the refusal to grant visas to Mr Rothman and former Israeli minister Ayelet Shaked. Labor MP Josh Burns, who is Jewish, said while the language from the Israeli prime minister was a "poor reflection", he also wants a softening of language from Mr Burke. "I completely understand that Tony feels passionately about this, but personally, what I would say in this moment is what's really important is that everyone take s a big, deep breath," he told ABC Radio. Opposition Leader Sussan Ley said the prime minister needed to outline how Australia would repair diplomatic ties with Israel, but also said Mr Albanese needed to be respected by other world leaders. "While our prime minister, whoever that may be, should be respected, what has happened is that the relationship has deteriorated, and that failure is becoming apparent," she told reporters in Sydney. "Respect goes both ways, and the series of events we have seen in the relationship between Israel and Australia are regrettable." Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-chief executive Alex Ryvchin said the Jewish community was disturbed by the deteriorating relationship between the two nations, urging for a lowering of the tone of debate. "None of this is served or advanced through this public exchange of insults that's taken place right now," he told reporters in Sydney. "I hope it's just rhetoric that can blow over and, again, I hope that leaders can pick up the phone and talk through their differences." Mr Ryvchin said the Jewish community had not felt abandoned by the government, despite Mr Netanyahu's criticisms. Anthony Albanese has downplayed personal attacks from Benjamin Netanyahu, as a federal minister called out Israel's prime minister over "blowing up" Palestinians and starving children. Mr Netanyahu called his Australian counterpart a "weak politician" in a social media post, claiming he had abandoned Jewish Australians. The comments followed escalating diplomatic tensions after the federal government denied a visa to far-right Israeli politician Simcha Rothman, who was set to undertake a speaking tour of Australia at the invitation of a fringe Jewish group. The Israeli government retaliated by cancelling the visas of three Australian representatives to the Palestinian Authority and ordering embassy staff to apply extra scrutiny to Australian applications to enter Israel. Mr Albanese said he would continue to engage with Mr Netanyahu, brushing off the social media criticism from Israel's leader. "I don't take these things personally. I engage with people diplomatically. (Netanyahu) has had similar things to say about other leaders," he told reporters in Adelaide on Wednesday. "There is a global concern, because people want to see an end to the cycle of violence that we have seen for far too long. That is what Australians want to see as well." Mr Albanese said he would continue to press Australia's position on Palestine to Israel's leader. It comes as Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said the increasingly "isolated" Israeli prime minister was lashing out, as he had done to other Western leaders who vowed to recognise Palestinian statehood. "Strength is not measured by how many people you can blow up or how many children you can leave hungry. Strength is much better measured by exactly what Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has done," he told ABC Radio on Wednesday. "When there's a decision that we know Israel won't like, he goes straight to Benjamin Netanyahu, he has the conversation, he says exactly what we're intending to do, and has the chance for the objections to be made person-to-person." In revoking the visas of the Australian diplomats, Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar cited Australia's decision to recognise Palestine, as well as the refusal to grant visas to Mr Rothman and former Israeli minister Ayelet Shaked. Labor MP Josh Burns, who is Jewish, said while the language from the Israeli prime minister was a "poor reflection", he also wants a softening of language from Mr Burke. "I completely understand that Tony feels passionately about this, but personally, what I would say in this moment is what's really important is that everyone take s a big, deep breath," he told ABC Radio. Opposition Leader Sussan Ley said the prime minister needed to outline how Australia would repair diplomatic ties with Israel, but also said Mr Albanese needed to be respected by other world leaders. "While our prime minister, whoever that may be, should be respected, what has happened is that the relationship has deteriorated, and that failure is becoming apparent," she told reporters in Sydney. "Respect goes both ways, and the series of events we have seen in the relationship between Israel and Australia are regrettable." Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-chief executive Alex Ryvchin said the Jewish community was disturbed by the deteriorating relationship between the two nations, urging for a lowering of the tone of debate. "None of this is served or advanced through this public exchange of insults that's taken place right now," he told reporters in Sydney. "I hope it's just rhetoric that can blow over and, again, I hope that leaders can pick up the phone and talk through their differences." Mr Ryvchin said the Jewish community had not felt abandoned by the government, despite Mr Netanyahu's criticisms. Anthony Albanese has downplayed personal attacks from Benjamin Netanyahu, as a federal minister called out Israel's prime minister over "blowing up" Palestinians and starving children. Mr Netanyahu called his Australian counterpart a "weak politician" in a social media post, claiming he had abandoned Jewish Australians. The comments followed escalating diplomatic tensions after the federal government denied a visa to far-right Israeli politician Simcha Rothman, who was set to undertake a speaking tour of Australia at the invitation of a fringe Jewish group. The Israeli government retaliated by cancelling the visas of three Australian representatives to the Palestinian Authority and ordering embassy staff to apply extra scrutiny to Australian applications to enter Israel. Mr Albanese said he would continue to engage with Mr Netanyahu, brushing off the social media criticism from Israel's leader. "I don't take these things personally. I engage with people diplomatically. (Netanyahu) has had similar things to say about other leaders," he told reporters in Adelaide on Wednesday. "There is a global concern, because people want to see an end to the cycle of violence that we have seen for far too long. That is what Australians want to see as well." Mr Albanese said he would continue to press Australia's position on Palestine to Israel's leader. It comes as Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said the increasingly "isolated" Israeli prime minister was lashing out, as he had done to other Western leaders who vowed to recognise Palestinian statehood. "Strength is not measured by how many people you can blow up or how many children you can leave hungry. Strength is much better measured by exactly what Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has done," he told ABC Radio on Wednesday. "When there's a decision that we know Israel won't like, he goes straight to Benjamin Netanyahu, he has the conversation, he says exactly what we're intending to do, and has the chance for the objections to be made person-to-person." In revoking the visas of the Australian diplomats, Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar cited Australia's decision to recognise Palestine, as well as the refusal to grant visas to Mr Rothman and former Israeli minister Ayelet Shaked. Labor MP Josh Burns, who is Jewish, said while the language from the Israeli prime minister was a "poor reflection", he also wants a softening of language from Mr Burke. "I completely understand that Tony feels passionately about this, but personally, what I would say in this moment is what's really important is that everyone take s a big, deep breath," he told ABC Radio. Opposition Leader Sussan Ley said the prime minister needed to outline how Australia would repair diplomatic ties with Israel, but also said Mr Albanese needed to be respected by other world leaders. "While our prime minister, whoever that may be, should be respected, what has happened is that the relationship has deteriorated, and that failure is becoming apparent," she told reporters in Sydney. "Respect goes both ways, and the series of events we have seen in the relationship between Israel and Australia are regrettable." Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-chief executive Alex Ryvchin said the Jewish community was disturbed by the deteriorating relationship between the two nations, urging for a lowering of the tone of debate. "None of this is served or advanced through this public exchange of insults that's taken place right now," he told reporters in Sydney. "I hope it's just rhetoric that can blow over and, again, I hope that leaders can pick up the phone and talk through their differences." Mr Ryvchin said the Jewish community had not felt abandoned by the government, despite Mr Netanyahu's criticisms. Anthony Albanese has downplayed personal attacks from Benjamin Netanyahu, as a federal minister called out Israel's prime minister over "blowing up" Palestinians and starving children. Mr Netanyahu called his Australian counterpart a "weak politician" in a social media post, claiming he had abandoned Jewish Australians. The comments followed escalating diplomatic tensions after the federal government denied a visa to far-right Israeli politician Simcha Rothman, who was set to undertake a speaking tour of Australia at the invitation of a fringe Jewish group. The Israeli government retaliated by cancelling the visas of three Australian representatives to the Palestinian Authority and ordering embassy staff to apply extra scrutiny to Australian applications to enter Israel. Mr Albanese said he would continue to engage with Mr Netanyahu, brushing off the social media criticism from Israel's leader. "I don't take these things personally. I engage with people diplomatically. (Netanyahu) has had similar things to say about other leaders," he told reporters in Adelaide on Wednesday. "There is a global concern, because people want to see an end to the cycle of violence that we have seen for far too long. That is what Australians want to see as well." Mr Albanese said he would continue to press Australia's position on Palestine to Israel's leader. It comes as Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said the increasingly "isolated" Israeli prime minister was lashing out, as he had done to other Western leaders who vowed to recognise Palestinian statehood. "Strength is not measured by how many people you can blow up or how many children you can leave hungry. Strength is much better measured by exactly what Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has done," he told ABC Radio on Wednesday. "When there's a decision that we know Israel won't like, he goes straight to Benjamin Netanyahu, he has the conversation, he says exactly what we're intending to do, and has the chance for the objections to be made person-to-person." In revoking the visas of the Australian diplomats, Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar cited Australia's decision to recognise Palestine, as well as the refusal to grant visas to Mr Rothman and former Israeli minister Ayelet Shaked. Labor MP Josh Burns, who is Jewish, said while the language from the Israeli prime minister was a "poor reflection", he also wants a softening of language from Mr Burke. "I completely understand that Tony feels passionately about this, but personally, what I would say in this moment is what's really important is that everyone take s a big, deep breath," he told ABC Radio. Opposition Leader Sussan Ley said the prime minister needed to outline how Australia would repair diplomatic ties with Israel, but also said Mr Albanese needed to be respected by other world leaders. "While our prime minister, whoever that may be, should be respected, what has happened is that the relationship has deteriorated, and that failure is becoming apparent," she told reporters in Sydney. "Respect goes both ways, and the series of events we have seen in the relationship between Israel and Australia are regrettable." Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-chief executive Alex Ryvchin said the Jewish community was disturbed by the deteriorating relationship between the two nations, urging for a lowering of the tone of debate. "None of this is served or advanced through this public exchange of insults that's taken place right now," he told reporters in Sydney. "I hope it's just rhetoric that can blow over and, again, I hope that leaders can pick up the phone and talk through their differences." Mr Ryvchin said the Jewish community had not felt abandoned by the government, despite Mr Netanyahu's criticisms.
ABC News
43 minutes ago
- ABC News
Netanyahu lashes out and Tony Burke fires back
'Strength is not measured by how many people you can blow up or how many children you can leave hungry.' That's the sharp response from Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke, after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu labelled Anthony Albanese a 'weak politician who betrayed Israel and abandoned Australia's Jews". As the war of words escalates, what are the implications of the deteriorating relationship? Meanwhile, day two of the Economic Reform Roundtable is underway in Canberra - but the Prime Minister isn't in attendance. Patricia Karvelas and David Speers break it all down on Politics Now. Got a burning question? Got a burning political query? Send a short voice recording to PK and Mel for Question Time at thepartyroom@
SBS Australia
an hour ago
- SBS Australia
Israel reviews Gaza ceasefire proposal, insists on release of hostages
Mediators are awaiting an official Israeli response to a ceasefire plan with Hamas, after Hamas signalled its readiness for a fresh round of talks aimed at ending nearly two years of war. Mediator Qatar expressed guarded optimism for the new proposal, noting that it was "almost identical" to an earlier version agreed to by Israel. Speaking on the condition of anonymity, a senior Israeli official told AFP the government's stance had not changed and demanded the release of all hostages in any deal. Rubi Chen's son, Israeli-American soldier Itay Chen, was taken hostage from his military base on October 7,2023. Israel determined that Chen was likely killed on that day, and that his body still remains in Gaza. His father says releasing all captives must take priority over dismantling Hamas. "The release of the hostages supersedes and comes before, in a timeline, then the dismantling of Hamas. You can dismantle Hamas, but on the way, you might kill some of the living hostages and some of the deceased hostages might get lost forever. Therefore, we ask, simple thing. First, prioritise the release of all the hostages, get them out. And then we can always manage and deal with the Hamas and any other of the external threats that are possessed to the state of Israel." Israel and Hamas have held on-and-off indirect negotiations throughout the war, resulting in two short truces during which Israeli hostages were released in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. But they have ultimately failed to broker a lasting ceasefire. Qatar and Egypt, backed by the United States, have mediated the frequent rounds of shuttle diplomacy. Egypt said on Monday that it and Qatar had sent the new proposal to Israel. Qatari foreign ministry spokesman Majed al-Ansari says Hamas supports the plan and that it was now up to Israel to take the next step. "We consider it a positive response, and it is almost identical to what was agreed on previously by the Israeli side. However, we are still waiting for Israel's response to this proposal that we received (from Hamas). What can be confirmed, colleagues, is that we are now not only at a pivotal moment, a decisive moment, and so on. We are now at a truly humanitarian moment. If we do not reach an agreement now. We are facing a humanitarian catastrophe that will make the catastrophe that preceded it seem tiny before it." According to a report in Egyptian state-linked outlet Al-Qahera News, the latest deal proposes an initial 60-day truce, a partial hostage release, the freeing of some Palestinian prisoners, and provisions allowing for the entry of aid. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has yet to publicly comment on the plan, but said last week that his country would accept an agreement in which all the hostages are released at once; and "according to our conditions for ending the war." The United States confirmed Hamas had accepted the plan, with White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt crediting U-S President Donald Trump. "I don't think it's a coincidence that Hamas accepted this proposal after the president of the United States posted a very strong statement about this conflict on Truth Social yesterday. I would refer you back to that statement. As for this proposal that Hamas has now accepted, the United States continues to discuss it, and I'll let the president weigh in on it definitively." Hamas' acceptance of the proposal came as Mr Netanyahu faces increasing pressure at home and abroad to end the war. On Sunday, tens of thousands took to the streets in the Israeli city of Tel Aviv to call for an end to the war and a deal to free the remaining hostages still held captive. Of the 251 hostages taken during Hamas's October 2023 attack that triggered the war, 49 are still in Gaza, including 27 the Israeli military says are dead. The new proposal also comes after Israel's security cabinet approved plans to conquer Gaza City, fanning fears the new offensive will worsen the already catastrophic humanitarian crisis in the territory. Palestinian woman Huda Rishe says she's been displaced from her home in Gaza City four times and has no idea what to expect next. "We are, God willing, optimistic this time that we will reach a truce. But they are talking about a 60-day humanitarian truce, and after they (Israel) take the prisoners, they will strike us again. We will return to Gaza, then leave it again. We have lost hope. We cannot understand things because we do not know what is happening to us." Gaza's civil defence agency reported that 48 people were killed in the last 24 hours by Israeli strikes and fire across the territory. Agency spokesman Mahmud Bassal told AFP the situation was "very dangerous" in the Zeitoun and Sabra neighbourhoods of Gaza City, where he said artillery shelling continues intermittently. The Israeli military declined to comment on specific troop movements, saying only that it was "operating to dismantle Hamas military capabilities" and took "feasible precautions to mitigate civilian harm". Around 1,200 people were killed in Hamas' October 2023 attack on southern Israel. Israel's offensive since then has killed more than 62,000 Palestinians, according to figures from Gaza's Health Ministry The ministry does not say how many of the dead were civilians or combatants, but says women and children make up around half of those killed.
