‘Shameful': Netanyahu attacks Australia over Palestinian recognition
In a wide-ranging press conference staged 'to puncture the lies and tell the truth' about Israeli military and humanitarian action, Netanyahu denied Israel had a 'starvation policy' while hitting out at foreign powers for backing the 'absurdity' of recognising Palestine in the pursuit of peace.
'It defies imagination or understanding how intelligent people around the world, including seasoned diplomats, government leaders, and respected journalists, fall for this absurdity,' said Netanyahu, an increasingly isolated leader on the world stage.
He claimed that, contrary to growing opinion, Palestinian statehood would bring war rather than peace: ' To have European countries and Australia to march into that rabbit hole, just like that … is disappointing, and I think it's actually shameful.'
His defiance came after Australia participated in another joint statement alongside Britain, France, Canada, and other allies condemning Israel's actions in Gaza, this time over the planned large-scale military operation to take control of Gaza City and conquer the entire strip.
They said any attempts at annexation or settlement in Gaza violated international law.
Last month, Australia took part in a 28-country joint statement urging Israel to dramatically increase the supply of aid in the strip, following repeated reports of Gazans being gunned down outside Gaza Humanitarian Fund depots and images of starving children being spread around the world.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said in a joint statement with New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon on Saturday: 'Any attempt by Israel to escalate hostilities, including by taking control of Gaza City, would be wrong, risk violating international law, and exacerbate the human catastrophe already unfolding inside the Gaza Strip.'
After previously denying people were starving in Gaza, Netanyahu on Sunday conceded there was 'deprivation', albeit caused by Hamas, the militant group that presides over the territory and launched the October 7, 2023, terrorist attack against Israelis that kicked off the war.
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Grant Forrest has eased to victory on home Scottish soil for the second time in his career with a four-shot success at the Nexo Championship - and then received a congratulatory video call from United States president Donald Trump. Forrest's European tour victory was at Trump International Golf Links in Aberdeen on Sunday and, shortly after collecting his trophy, he was being hailed by the owner and 47th president of the USA over FaceTime. "I watched it... he's some player. I look forward to playing with him - in fact I will play with him tomorrow if he could get on a plane," Trump said in the call, shared on X by the Tour. "What a round of golf. What three rounds of brilliant golf. It's a great honour you won, thank you very much." Forrest, who lifted his maiden tour title at St Andrews four years ago, took control of windy conditions over the weekend but saw his three-shot overnight advantage trimmed to two after Todd Clements' birdie on the opening hole. But when Forrest birdied the fourth and Clements carded a triple-bogey eight at the same hole, the Scot led by five and never looked back. The world No.294 added two more birdies and a dropped shot in a closing 72, but even had the luxury of winning on eight-under-par despite a double-bogey at the last. "It's amazing, just speechless," Forrest said. "I think it is the same week as I won four years ago on the calendar so just amazing, that must say something about this week and being at home. "I just can't believe it. It's been such a tough year on the golf course. It's just a crazy game that you can go and come out and do this, with what feels out of nowhere. "It's just that old chestnut that one week can turn things around and it has." Joe Dean parred the last nervelessly to claim solo second at four under, with John Parry a shot further behind alongside Norway's Kristoffer Reitan and Denmark's Jacob Skov Olesen. Australian David Micheluzzi, who had earlier in the week had the honour of playing the first round on Trump's other, much trumpeted new course at the links, concluded with his third under-par round of the tournament, a one-under 71, to end up with a top-10 finish at level par. Elvis Smylie had a 73 to end up at five over, tied for 31st place, while Jason Scrivener finished a shot further back in joint-42nd after his final-round 70. Grant Forrest has eased to victory on home Scottish soil for the second time in his career with a four-shot success at the Nexo Championship - and then received a congratulatory video call from United States president Donald Trump. Forrest's European tour victory was at Trump International Golf Links in Aberdeen on Sunday and, shortly after collecting his trophy, he was being hailed by the owner and 47th president of the USA over FaceTime. "I watched it... he's some player. I look forward to playing with him - in fact I will play with him tomorrow if he could get on a plane," Trump said in the call, shared on X by the Tour. "What a round of golf. What three rounds of brilliant golf. It's a great honour you won, thank you very much." Forrest, who lifted his maiden tour title at St Andrews four years ago, took control of windy conditions over the weekend but saw his three-shot overnight advantage trimmed to two after Todd Clements' birdie on the opening hole. But when Forrest birdied the fourth and Clements carded a triple-bogey eight at the same hole, the Scot led by five and never looked back. The world No.294 added two more birdies and a dropped shot in a closing 72, but even had the luxury of winning on eight-under-par despite a double-bogey at the last. "It's amazing, just speechless," Forrest said. "I think it is the same week as I won four years ago on the calendar so just amazing, that must say something about this week and being at home. "I just can't believe it. It's been such a tough year on the golf course. It's just a crazy game that you can go and come out and do this, with what feels out of nowhere. "It's just that old chestnut that one week can turn things around and it has." Joe Dean parred the last nervelessly to claim solo second at four under, with John Parry a shot further behind alongside Norway's Kristoffer Reitan and Denmark's Jacob Skov Olesen. Australian David Micheluzzi, who had earlier in the week had the honour of playing the first round on Trump's other, much trumpeted new course at the links, concluded with his third under-par round of the tournament, a one-under 71, to end up with a top-10 finish at level par. Elvis Smylie had a 73 to end up at five over, tied for 31st place, while Jason Scrivener finished a shot further back in joint-42nd after his final-round 70.
