Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Wednesday that he treats leaders of other countries with respect after his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu attacked him over Australia's decision to support the recognition of a Palestinian state, Reuters reports, quoted by News.bg.
„I don't take these things personally, I communicate with people diplomatically. "He has made similar criticisms of other leaders," Albanese told a news briefing.
Netanyahu's personal attack further strained relations between the two countries, which had already deteriorated after Australia announced last week that it would support conditional recognition of a Palestinian state at the upcoming UN General Assembly in September.
“History will remember Albanese for what he is: a weak politician who betrayed Israel and abandoned Australian Jews,“ Netanyahu wrote in a post on X on Tuesday.
According to Albanese, he informed the Israeli prime minister of Australia's position even before the decision was officially announced:
“At that time, I gave Prime Minister Netanyahu a clear indication of my and Australia's views going forward, as well as the direction in which we were moving. I gave him the opportunity to present his political views.“
Tensions also increased after Israel revoked visas for Australian diplomats to the Palestinian Authority. The move came in response to the Australian Labor government's decision to revoke the visa of an Israeli lawmaker for statements it deemed inflammatory.
Israel has faced growing international pressure over its military offensive in the Gaza Strip, which has killed thousands of civilians and caused a humanitarian catastrophe, leaving the majority of the territory's residents homeless.
The offensive began nearly two years ago, following an attack by Hamas militants in southern Israel that killed about 1,200 people and took 251 hostages.