Netanyahu amplifies attack on Albanese as rift deepens
Foreign Minister Penny Wong has denounced an Israeli plan to build settlements in Palestine after Benjamin Netanyahu ramped up his attack on Anthony Albanese.
Australia has joined allies in rebuking Israel over its plan to build illegal settlements in the West Bank, as the diplomatic stoush between the two nations deepens.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong released a joint statement overnight – alongside her counterparts from 20 countries, including Canada, Italy, Japan and the UK – calling on Israel to immediately reverse its decision to construct 3400 homes in the E1 area east of Jerusalem.
The plan, devised by far-right Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, would effectively cut the Palestinian-controlled West Bank in two and would violate international law.
“Minister Smotrich says this plan will make a two-state solution impossible by dividing any Palestinian state and restricting Palestinian access to Jerusalem,” the joint statement said.
“This brings no benefits to the Israeli people. Instead, it risks undermining security and fuels further violence and instability, taking us further away from peace.”
The statement represents another divergence in policy with the US, which was not a signatory to the statement and remains Israel’s most steadfast supporter.
It comes as the rift between Australia and Israel grows ever deeper.
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu used a television appearance on Thursday night to launch another ad hominem attack on his Australian counterpart, Anthony Albanese.
Albanese has flagged that Australia will join other Western nations, including the UK, France and Canada, in recognising a state of Palestine at the United Nations General Assembly in September, in response to the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Netanyahu said that amounted to siding with Hamas, a listed terrorist organisation that controls the devastated enclave.
“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 told Sky News.
“When the worst terrorist organisation on earth … which murdered women, raped them, beheaded men and burnt babies alive in front of their parents and took hundreds of hostages, when these people congratulate the prime minister of Australia, you know something is wrong.”
Diplomatic ties hit an all-time low this week after the federal government denied a visa to far-right Israeli politician Simcha Rothman from entering the country for a speaking tour, following provocative comments.
Israel retaliated by cancelling the visas of three Australian diplomats engaged with the Palestinian Authority.
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“When Prime Minister Albanese and the leaders of France and Britain and others, when they say we’ll give them a Palestinian state, they are actually rewarding terror, they are saying it doesn’t matter what horrors you people do,” Netanyahu said.
“(Australia and Israel) had a great relationship over the years.
“I think it’s gone astray because leaders did not show the strength and conviction they should have, when we’re fighting the war of Western civilisation against these barbarians.”
Netanyahu’s broadside came as the Israeli military maintains pressure on Gaza City with heavy bombardments ahead of an offensive to seize the enclave’s largest city.
The military has called up 60,000 Israeli reservists.
Mr Netanyahu hinted that the conflict could soon be over.
“We are on the verge of completing this war… when that happens, I think we will have tremendous opportunities to expand the peace,” he said.
“We will win.”
Earlier this week, Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said Israel was increasingly isolated on the international stage.
Opposition finance spokesman James Paterson has called on the government to patch up Australia’s relationship with Israel.
-with AAP
