Australia and Israel trade diplomatic blows over Palestine recognition and visas

Australia and Israel are trading diplomatic blows with each side taking actions against the other’s officials.

On Tuesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a scathing statement accusing Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of betraying Israel.

“History will remember Albanese for what he is: A weak politician who betrayed Israel and abandoned Australia’s Jews,” Netanyahu said.

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Albanese announced last week that Australia will recognize a Palestinian state at the United Nations General Assembly in September. The move follows similar commitments made by the U.K., France and Canada. Additionally, Australia also canceled the visa of Religious Zionist Party lawmaker Simcha Rothman, part of Netanyahu’s coalition.

Rothman was set to embark on a “solidarity tour” to meet with Australia’s Jewish community as it grapples with surging antisemitism.

“The timing of the cancellation at the last minute was spiteful and intended to cause maximum harm to the Australian Jewish community. Mr. Rothman received his cancellation on the day he was to head to the airport for his flight,” Australian Jewish Association (AJA) CEO Robert Gregory said in a statement posted to the group’s Facebook. “The message from the Albanese Government to Jews is clear and we urge all Jews to seriously consider whether it is safe for them to visit Australia under this government.”

Despite the ban, AJA arranged for Rothman to address the Jewish community virtually, saying “the show will go on” and “the Jew-haters will not win.”

“The Jewish community won’t bow down to Tony Burke or Penny Wong. Instead of many events, we will hold one large communal event where Simcha will address the Jewish community via Zoom,” AJA announced on X.

Graffiti on a fence praising Oct. 7 Hamas massacre against Israelis. (Executive Council of Australian Jewry )

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In response, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar said he would revoke visas for Australian representatives to the Palestinian Authority. He also directed Israel’s embassy in Canberra to “carefully examine any official Australian visa application.”

“While…