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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has accused Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of betraying Israel and abandoning Australia’s Jewish community following his decision to recognize a Palestinian state.

Some shit you should know before you read: If you’re unaware, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced plans to recognize a Palestinian state as part of a broader shift in Australia’s foreign policy toward supporting a two-state solution. Albanese cited the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the urgent need for a lasting peace as key reasons behind the move, arguing that recognition is a step toward a viable, independent Palestinian state living alongside Israel. His government’s decision followed similar announcements by the UK, France, and Canada.

What’s going on now: During an interview with Sky News, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of being weak and aligning with terrorism. “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,” Netanyahu said. He condemned Australia’s decision to recognize a Palestinian state, calling it an act of “appeasement” and likening it to the 1938 appeasement of Adolf Hitler. “They want to put Israel at tremendous risk by giving this strategic piece of land right next to Jerusalem and Tel Aviv to these Palestinians who want to destroy Israel… we’re not going to repeat the mistakes that were made prior to World War II,” he warned.

Netanyahu’s criticism came amid growing diplomatic tensions triggered by Australia’s cancellation of a visa for Simcha Rothman, a far-right Israeli politician and member of Netanyahu’s coalition. The Albanese government revoked Rothman’s visa over concerns that his speaking tour in Australia would “spread division,” with Immigration Minister Tony Burke stating, “If you are coming to Australia to spread a message of hate and division, we don’t want you here.”

In response, Israel escalated the dispute by revoking the visas of three Australian diplomats assigned to the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar accused Australia of fueling antisemitism and announced that any future Australian visa applications would now be scrutinized more closely. “While antisemitism is raging in Australia… the Australian government is choosing to fuel it,” Sa’ar wrote on social media.

Australian officials pushed back strongly. Minister Burke dismissed Netanyahu’s comments as a “lash out” and challenged the Israeli leader’s definition of strength. “Strength is not measured by how many people you can blow up or how many children you can leave hungry,” Burke said in an interview, defending Australia’s humanitarian stance. Despite the escalating rhetoric, Prime Minister Albanese downplayed the personal nature of the attacks, saying, “I treat leaders of other countries with respect, and I engage with them in a diplomatic way.”