SYDNEY (Reuters) -Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese mentioned on Wednesday that he treats leaders of different international locations with respect after his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu attacked him over his choice to recognise a Palestinian state.
“I do not take these items personally, I interact with folks diplomatically. He has had comparable issues to say about different leaders,” Albanese mentioned throughout a media briefing.
Netanyahu’s private assault on Albanese has additional strained relations between the 2 international locations. Ties soured after Australia determined final week to conditionally recognise a Palestinian state on the UN Basic Meeting in September.
“Historical past will bear in mind Albanese for what he’s: A weak politician who betrayed Israel and deserted Australia’s Jews,” Netanyahu mentioned in a put up on X on Tuesday.
Albanese advised reporters that he had knowledgeable Netanyahu about Australia’s choice to assist a Palestinian state earlier than his centre-left authorities formally introduced the plan.
“At the moment, I gave Prime Minister Netanyahu a transparent indication of my view and Australia’s view going ahead but in addition a transparent indication of the route through which we have been headed,” Albanese mentioned.
“I gave him the chance to stipulate what political answer there was and gave him that chance.”
Israel this week revoked the visas of Australian diplomats to the Palestinian Authority after Albanese’s Labor authorities cancelled the visa of an Israeli lawmaker over remarks the Australian authorities thought of controversial and inflammatory.
Israel has been going through rising worldwide stress over its navy offensive within the Gaza Strip that has killed hundreds of civilians and plunged Gaza right into a humanitarian disaster, displacing most of its inhabitants.
The offensive started almost two years in the past after Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel, killing 1,200 folks and taking 251 extra hostage.
(Reporting by Renju Jose in Sydney; Modifying by Kate Mayberry)